PRIMER: Iowa State vs. Houston

Who: Iowa State (4-6-2, 1-5-0 Big 12) vs. Houston (6-3-4, 1-3-2 Big 12)

Where: Cyclone Soccer Complex (1,500) – Ames, Iowa

When: October 16 – 6 p.m. CT

Kicking Off
Despite owning the highest RPI in program history (82), the Cyclones find themselves in the midst of a five game skid. ISU looks to right the ship as it welcomes Houston to the Cyclone Soccer Complex for the penultimate home match of the season. ISU's last five matches have all come against teams in the top six of the Big 12 standings - four of which are ranked in this week's poll.

Iowa State fell to Kansas last time out, 3-1. After taking a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute, the Jayhawks rattled off three unanswered goals to earn the victory. ISU freshman Megan Walters scored the lone goal for the Cyclones.

Like ISU, Houston has had a rough early swing of conference action. The Cougars have not won since Sept. 18 but have picked up a pair of draws in their last five outings. UH will look to get back on track in Ames.

Game Note: We ask those attending Thursday night's contest to please wear pink, as it is our PINK OUT game. As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Soccer Complex is FREE.

From the Notebook

The Cyclones scored four second-half goals against UNI on Sept. 11 – the most second-half goals by a Cyclone team since 2012 against South Dakota.
- ISU's back-to-back four-plus goal outings were the first since 1999.
ISU downed UND 4-0, scoring four or more goals in a contest for just the third time since 2013 and earning the first home win of the season.
Against Drake, Lucy Froitzheim netted an equalizer with 30 seconds left on the clock. Her goal was the latest game-tying score in program history.
ISU earned its 200th program win over Creighton on Aug. 21, downing the Bluejays 1-nil. Isabella Agrusso scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute – the latest Cyclone goal since Courtney Powell against Kansas in 2020.
- Agrusso's game-winner, with 88:41 on the clock, was the eighth-latest game-winning goal (in regulation) in program history.
Iowa State's streak of three straight results to start the year was the longest since 2022. The Cyclones earned a result for the third consecutive season in both their season opener and road opener this season.
- Iowa State's three-game unbeaten streak to start the season was the longest stretch to start a year since 2013.
Ten Cyclones have registered points so far in 2025. ISU has now had at least ten point scorers in each of the last three seasons.
Iowa State was picked to finish 14th in the Big 12 preseason poll. Iowa State has outperformed its expected finish in each of the last two seasons.
With the Big 12 trimming the number of teams that make the Big 12 Championship (from 12 to eight), ISU has its work cut out for itself as it tries to punch a ticket to Texas. The Cyclones will aim to return to the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 2021.
Iowa State earned six draws (four in conference play) last season, setting a school record for most in a single season.

Leading the Cyclones
Iowa State's attack is led by center back Ella Zimmerman and midfielder Morgan Goodman, each of whom has three goals on the year to lead the team. Goodman leads the team with seven points, owning one assist.

Taylor Spitzer, Megan Walters and Sophie Forrester are the only other Cyclones to have scored multiple (2) goals this season. Ella Ciardullo has a team-high two assists, while eight others have one. Overall, nine Cyclones have recorded goals and nine Cyclones have recorded assists.

Between the pipes, Kasey Cannistraro has started all 12 contests for the Cyclones while allowing 19 goals. Cannistraro has a pair of clean sheets and a combined shutout to her name, as she has tallied 49 saves this season.

Overall, the Cyclones have 16 goals this season and have allowed 19 scores. The team has 115 total shots, averaging 9.6 per contest, and places 49.6% of them on goal.

Opponent Outlook
Houston's goal scoring is well-balanced, as seven Cougars have multiple goals on the year. Samira Minor leads the way both in goals (5) and assists (3) as she has the most points on the team (13).

Kyrsten Kizer and Cameryn Maddox are tied for the team lead in assists (3). Maddox is also tied for the second-most points on the team (9), along with Adelhia Ghonda who has four goals on the year.

Houston has divvied up starting keeper duties, as Lexi Gonzalez has started seven games and Maggie Manning has started six. Both have a goals-against average under one and combined they have 29 saves.

Overall, Houston has 30 goals this season and has allowed just nine scores. The team has 228 total shots, averaging 17.5 per contest, and places 50% of them on goal.

Series History
Houston and Iowa State will play for just the second time ever on Thursday. ISU and UH met previously in 2023, the first year the Cougars were in the Big 12. The Cyclones took that match, 2-1, behind a late score from Salomé Prat.

Up Next
The Cyclones return to the pitch this Sunday, Oct. 19, when it welcomes Arizona State for the home finale. Iowa State will meet the Sun Devils at 1 pm and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Isabella Agrusso

Kasey Cannistraro

Ella Ciardullo

Sophie Forrester

Lucy Froitzheim

Morgan Goodman

Taylor Spitzer

Megan Walters

Ella Zimmerman

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics