GREELEY, Colo. – Mira Emma was the difference on Sunday afternoon, as the fifth-year senior buried a penalty kick in the 50th minute to give Iowa State the edge, as it defeated Northern Colorado, 1-0, to begin the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015.

Iowa State was the aggressor in the first half, as the Cyclones outshot the Bears 8-2. Six of ISU’s eight shots were on target. However, Northern Colorado goalkeeper Kaya Lindberg stood out, making six saves. Three of Lindberg’s saves came on diving attempts as the Cyclones tested both the right and left side of the net.

It wasn’t ten minutes into the second half when Emma was fouled on the edge of the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Cyclones. Emma took the kick and smashed a line drive into the right side of the net past a diving Lindberg to give the Cyclones an early 1-0 lead in the second half.

The Bears responded with an aggressiveness that wasn’t present in the first stanza of play. Northern Colorado outshot the Cyclones by three in the second period, sending seven shots the way of Avery Gillahan. Gillahan tallied one save on the afternoon, notching her first-ever career clean sheet.

Emma and fellow senior Salomé Prat each had three shots on the day as the senior duo was constantly pressuring the Bears. Six other Cyclones recorded a shot on the afternoon as ISU finished with 12 shots (seven on goal). Iowa State also had more corner kicks than UNCO, leading in that department 9-4.

Ella Ciardullo and Isabella Agrusso each made their Cyclone debut on Sunday afternoon, while Femke Pietersma made her first appearance of the 2023 campaign.

Fannon’s Thoughts 

“We put ourselves in a place in the second half where we had to battle because we weren’t ruthless enough in the first. But our ability to get the job done and win the game is what matters, and we were fully deserving.”

Goals 

Iowa State:Mira Emma (50’)

Northern Colorado: N/A

Assists 

Iowa State:N/A

Northern Colorado: N/A

Up Next 

Iowa State will return to action on Thursday, August 24, when it heads east to face off with the Iowa Hawkeyes as part of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series. Thursday’s match is the second part of a three-game road stretch for the Cyclones. Thursday’s action is set to begin at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.