AMES, Iowa – After a 2-0 opening week which saw Iowa State down both Arizona and Northern Colorado, the Cyclones will look to move to 3-0 for the first time since 2013 when they travel to Iowa City and kick off the 2023 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against the Hawkeyes. Thursday’s match is set to start at 8 p.m. and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

The Cyclones’ 2-0 record is the school’s best start to a season since 2015, as ISU will look to build on a hot start out of the gates against Iowa. Thursday’s game against Iowa is the second part of a three-game road stretch for the Cyclones after downing UNCO. ISU concludes road action at South Dakota State this Sunday, August 27.

The Cyclones moved to 2-0 behind a balanced offensive effort as well as a stout defense. Part of that stout defense is redshirt freshman goalkeeper Avery Gillahan, who earlier today was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for her opening two performances.

The Matchup: Iowa State (2-0) at Iowa (2-0)

Where: Iowa Soccer Complex // Iowa City, Iowa

When: August 24 – 8 p.m. CT

Watch: Big Ten Plus

Live Stats: cyclones.com

From the Notebook 

• The Cyclones are 2-0 for just the eighth time in program history.
• An Iowa State win would tie the program’s largest win streak over Iowa as they look to stack back-to-back wins after last year’s 2-1 victory.
• Mira Emma was the difference in Iowa State’s last matchup – a 1-0 win over Northern Colorado – as she buried a PK past the UNCO goalkeeper to put the Cyclones in front.
• Of the 19 Cyclones who have seen playing time this season, eight competed in their first action as a Cyclone this past week.
• After program legend Jordan Silkowitz was drafted into the NWSL, a new face took the net for the Cyclones this past week, as Avery Gillahan handled goalkeeping responsibilities.

Leading the Cyclones 

A trio of Cyclone seniors have goals to their name this season as Salomé Prat and Abigail Miller each notched a goal in the season-opening win over Arizona, while Mira Emma was the difference against Northern Colorado, scoring off a penalty kick. Emma also has an assist to her name, giving her a team-high three points on the year. The only other Cyclone with a point is another senior, Alex Campana, who transferred in from Marquette.

Three Cyclones have played all 180 minutes of action so far on the year as defenders Chloe Broughton and Hanna Reid have done so, along with Gillahan in the net. Gillahan’s early season play has helped ISU to its 2-0 start as the redshirt freshman allowed just one goal across the two matches, tallying three saves and earning her first career clean sheet against Northern Colorado.

 

Scouting Iowa 

Off to its own 2-0 start, Iowa has also scored three goals across two matches. The Hawkeyes have seen Elle Otto, Josie Durr and Meike Ingles put points on the board. Otto leads the team in points with three, having also tallied an assist, while Kenzie Rolling leads the team in assists with a pair of dimes.

On the defensive side, Iowa goalkeeper Macy Enneking has yet to allow a goal this season, blanking both UMKC and FGCU. Enneking and Samantha Cary are the lone Hawkeyes to have played in all 180 minutes of action so far this season.

 

Series History 

Iowa State and Iowa will meet for the 25th time on Thursday as part of a series that started back in 1997. The Hawkeyes hold the all-time advantage at 14-8-2, but the two teams have split the last four meetings. Under Matt Fannon, Iowa State is 1-1 against Iowa, as the 2020 contest wasn’t played due to COVID. The Cyclones have claimed just two victories in Iowa City, with the last coming in 2005.

Up Next
The Cyclones will return to the pitch this Sunday when they travel to Brookings, South Dakota, to take on the SDSU Jackrabbits. ISU and South Dakota State’s Sunday match is set to kick off at 1 p.m. and the action will be streamed on the Summit League Network.