AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (3-5-1, 0-1 Big 12) fell to Oklahoma State (7-2, 1-0 Big 12) by a score of 4-1 on Thursday evening at the Cyclone Soccer Complex.

Despite posting its most shots in a single game all season and outshooting the Cowgirls with shots on goal alone, Iowa State was unable to convert many attempts into points as Oklahoma State took the Big 12 Opener.

The Cowgirls struck early, as Logan Heasler converted off a pretty feed from Laudan Wilson to give OSU an early 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute of action.

The Cyclones outshot the Cowgirls 10-3 in the first period but were unable to convert attempts into scores as the Cyclones went into the break down one.

The Cowgirls struck again early in the second half, burying their second goal of the match in the 53rd minute. OSU’s Alex Morris recorded her first score of the year.

Iowa State kept battling, rattling off shot after shot until one possession resulted in a corner kick for Mira Emma. In the South corner, Emma played a ball right in front of the net for Leia Khairy, who notched her first score of the year to put the Cyclones back in business, down just one goal in the 68th minute.

The Cyclones would swap Chloe Broughton out for Kristin Boos in the final 10 minutes to put some more offense on the field, but the Cowgirls took advantage and were able to put two more scores on the board in the final minutes to push the score to 4-1 as they claimed a road victory to start conference play.

Salomé Prat and Khairy led the team in shots with four apiece while Avery Gillahan recorded two saves.

On the other side of the field, OSU goalkeeper Grace Gordon tallied eight saves to keep the Cowgirls in front.

Goals 

Iowa State: Leia Khairy (68’)

Oklahoma State: Logan Heausler (13’), Alex Morris (53’), Lexi Lee (87’), Xcaret Pineda (90’)

Assists

Iowa State: Mira Emma

Oklahoma State: Laudan Wilson (3), Alex Morris

Up Next 

After opening the Big 12 slate at home, Iowa State will have its first idle day of the season as the Cyclones don’t play on Sunday. ISU will return to action next week when it embarks on a two-game road trip, beginning with a match at West Virginia on Thursday, September 21. Next Thursday’s match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Illini’s Herendeen and Hawkeyes’ McClear share weekly accolade after posting top-two finishes at respective tournaments.

Co-Golfers of the Week

Max Herendeen, Illinois

Fr. – Bellevue, Wash. – Bishop Blanchet

• Opened his collegiate career with a runner-up finish against a premier field at the Sahalee Players Championship in Sammamish, Wash., narrowly missing out on medalist honors in a playoff
• Recorded 46 of 54 holes at or below par, highlighted by 14 birdies, and was one of only three competitors to finish under par for the event with a three-round total of 211 (-5)
• Carded rounds of 74, 64 and 73 to help Illinois to an 8-stroke team victory, giving the No. 9 ranked Illini head-to-head wins over No. 2 Arizona State, No. 7 Stanford, No. 11 Texas, 15 Pepperdine, No. 16 Oklahoma State, No. 17 Texas Tech, No. 19 Arizona, No. 23 Duke, and No. 25 Wake Forest, plus host Washington and USC who are both receiving votes in the poll
• Collects his first career Golfer of the Week honor
• Last Illinois Golfer of the Week: Adrien Dumont de Chassart (April 27, 2023)

Mac McClear, Iowa

Gr. – Hinsdale, Ill. – Hinsdale Central

• Captured medalist honors with a three-round total of 204 (-12), helping the Hawkeyes finish second at the ANF Fall Classic at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside, Iowa
• Fired rounds of 70, 67, and 67 to tie Lonnie Neilson for most tournament victories in school history with six and playing his final two rounds of the tournament at 10-under par
• Completed his second come-from-behind win in consecutive years at Blue Top Ridge
• The Academic All-Big Ten honoree collects his fourth career Golfer of the Week honor
• Last Iowa Golfer of the Week: Mac McClear (April 19, 2023)

2023-24 Big Ten Men’s Golfers of the Week

Sept. 7: Hunter Thomson, Jr., MICH

Sept. 14: Max Herendeen, Fr., ILL/Mac McClear, Gr., Iowa

Chicago, Ill- The University of Iowa men’s golf team is set to compete in the Highlands Invitational in Chicago, Illinois, from Sept. 18-19 at

Chicago Highlands Club hosted by Wake Forest.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE 

The 54-hole tournament tees off on Monday and continues Tuesday with 54-holes being played through two days. The start time for the tournament is yet to be announced.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

You can follow this week’s action by visiting golfstat.com for live scoring. Links can be found on the men’s golf schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.

THE FIELD

12 schools will be competing in the Highlands Invitational and will square off at Chicago Highlands Club. The field includes College of Charleston, Duke, Furman, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri,  Penn State, Virginia, Wake Forest, and Yale.

THE COURSE

Spanning 7,490 yards, Chicago Highlands Club is ranked the number one golf course in the state of Illinois and number 14th in the country by GolfDigest. GolfDigest also rated hole nine as one of the best hole designs in America.  Designed by Arthur Hills, who designed more than 200 golf courses, Chicago Highlands Club is a links-style course with a stunning view of the Chicago skyline.

HAWKEYES AT THE ANF FALL CLASSIC

The Hawkeyes are coming off their opening tournament of the fall season. The Hawkeyes placed second as a team at the ANF Fall Classic. Mac McClear won the event with a 12-under par after 54 holes. McClear became the first player to win the tournament twice.

MCCLEAR TIES SCHOOL RECORD

Fifth-year senior Mac McClear tied a school record winning his sixth induvial championship as a Hawkeye, previously set by Lonnie Nelson in 1976. McClear won the ANF Classic shooting a 12-under par after 54 holes. McClear carded a 67, 5-under par, each of his last two rounds. McClear is coming off a season where he had 9 top-25 finishes, co-Big Ten Champion, All-Big Ten Second Team recognition, and Division I PING All-Midwest honors.