AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State soccer program will officially open the 2023 campaign on Thursday, August 17, against future Big 12 opponent Arizona. The Cyclones and Wildcats are set to square off at 6 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

This marks the second straight season that Arizona and Iowa State will face off in the opening match of the regular season. Last year’s lid-lifter saw the Wildcats secure a 2-1 victory over ISU in the desert.

The Cyclones enter regular season play after completing a 2-0 preseason which featured wins over both UNI (2-1) and Minnesota (1-0).

The Matchup: Iowa State vs. Arizona

Where: Cyclone Soccer Complex // Ames, Iowa

When: August 17 – 6 p.m.

Watch: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Live Stats: cyclones.com

What To Watch For 

• Iowa State will open up the 2023 season on a brand new playing surface at the Cyclone Soccer Complex on Thursday, as ISU made the offseason swap from a turf field to natural grass.
• The Cyclones will look to implement 11 newcomers into the fray this season, as five freshmen and six transfers will look to find their place in the rotation.
• The Cyclones will have a new face in the net for the first time in since 2019, as program legend Jordan Silkowitz was drafted into the NWSL in January.
• ISU has just one returning player who started all 17 games last season in Mira Emma and only four players (Mira Emma, Lauren Hernandez, Hanna Reid, Sophia Thomas) competed in every outing.
• The Cyclones lost 50% of their scoring production from 2022, so finding offensive production and contributors will be paramount.
• The Cyclones return five players who notched goals in 2022 (Emma, Hernandez, Salomé Prat, Leia Khairy and Thomas).
• Besides the new player faces on the sidelines, ISU fans may also notice a new pair of coaches as Kathleen Duwve (assistant/goalkeepers coach) and Olivia Seddon (soccer development coordinator) joined the team over the summer.
  • Though not a new face, CC McGrath was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach in the summer.

Series History 

Iowa State and Arizona will meet for the fourth time on Thursday, with the Wildcats holding a 2-1 series advantage. This will be the second time Arizona has visited Ames, with the previous visit coming back in 2004. Iowa State is 0-1 when hosting the Wildcats at home.

Up Next
Following the final exhibition match, Iowa State will turn its attention to the regular season and prepare for Arizona. The Cyclones and Wildcats are set to square off on August 17 at 6 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.