AMES, Iowa – Iowa State returns to the Cyclone Soccer Complex on Thursday, August 31, following a three-game road stretch that saw the Cyclones go 1-2 to welcome nationally-ranked Memphis to Ames. Thursday’s match is set to kick off at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

It’s the second meeting in the past two years for the Tigers and Cyclones, as Memphis took the 2022 matchup, 3-0, in Tennessee. Iowa State will look to replicate the result of its lone ranked matchup from last year’s non-conference when it downed #24 Michigan, 3-2.

The Matchup: Iowa State (2-2) vs. #16 Memphis (3-1)

Where: Cyclone Soccer Complex // Ames, Iowa

When: August 31 – 6 p.m. CT

Watch: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Live Stats: cyclones.com

From the Notebook 

• The Cyclones have lost just one match under Coach Fannon when scoring at least two goals. Two seems to be the magic number for the offense.
• Arkansas State transfer Abigail Miller has already surpassed her 2022 point total in Jonesboro, tallying four points through four games of action (she had three points with ASU in 2022).
• Lauren Hernandez got her name in the scoring column in last Thursday night’s loss to Iowa. The sophomore converted off an Olivia Edwards free kick to pull the Cyclones within one with eight minutes remaining.
• Iowa State leads the Big 12 in shot accuracy, placing 61.8% of its attempts on goal. That’s good enough for the 16th-highest ranking in the country.
• Two Big 12 schools, TCU and UCF, dropped from the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 this week.
• Mira Emma recorded her 11th career assist in the season-opener, pushing her into the ISU top 10 all-time. One more goal would also push Emma into that top ten list.
• 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.
  • Gillahan earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors on August 23rd for her performances during the first week of the season.

Leading the Cyclones 

The Cyclones will look to steady the ship after a rough week on the road where they were unable to muster enough offensive support.

Four different Cyclones (Salomé Prat, Abigail Miller, Mira Emma and Lauren Hernandez) have goals to their names on the season, with Miller being the lone Cyclone to have at least two scores. ISU is 2-0 in games where it scored at least two goals and 0-2 when it scores one or less.

Two Cyclones have played all 360 minutes of action so far on the year, Hanna Reid and goalkeeper Avery Gillahan. Gillahan recorded her first career clean sheet against Northern Colorado in the first week of the season.

 

Scouting Memphis 

Memphis will give the Cyclones their first ranked test of the season, as the Tigers went up one spot from last week’s ranking, defeating Ohio State 6-1 before falling at #7 Alabama 2-1.

The Tiger offense is balanced and dangerous, as six different Memphis players have at least two goals on the season. The Tigers are led by fifth-year senior Mya Jones, who holds a team-high seven points. Her two goals are tied for second-most on the team and her three assists lead all Tigers.

Kaylie Bierman starts in the net for the Tigers, having played 293 minutes this season, making nine saves and allowing just two goals. Defender Sarah Hagg is the lone Tiger to have played all 360 possible minutes on the season, as the junior transfer from Eastern Illinois has yet to leave the field.

 

Series History 

Iowa State and Memphis will meet for the fourth time this week, with all four meetings coming in the last five seasons. The Tigers hold a 3-0 advantage over ISU and have outscored the Cyclones 7-0 across the three previous matchups. The Tigers will play in Ames for the second time ever, having taken the previous matchup 1-0 in overtime.

Up Next
Iowa State will be back in action this Sunday, Sept. 3, as it welcomes UC Santa Barbara to Ames for a weekend matinee. Sunday’s action against the Gauchos is set to kick off at 1 p.m. and the match will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.