AMES – The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Arizona Wildcats 1-0 in the Big 12 season opener. The winning goal was scored by true freshman Megan Walters in the second half, with 12 minutes left on the clock.
Slow first half
The first Big 12 contest for the Cyclones did not start with fireworks. The first half mostly consisted of Arizona dominating possession. The Wildcats used their speed and teamwork to keep control of the ball.
Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon assumed that this would be the storyline. “We knew that we were going to suffer,” Fannon said. “We knew that we were going to have to deal with them being so good in possession.”
Fannon talked about how his team only had to do a couple of things pretty, and he knew his team had the potential to execute his coaching staff’s game plan well. He discussed how, to an average fan, it may seem that Arizona had complete control over his squad in the first 45 minutes.
“We deserved to win the game,” Fannon said.
A strong message with confidence to start conference play.
Physicality and defensive control
Both teams played physically in the contest. Iowa State and Arizona combined for 17 fouls. NCAA referee Jorge Luna Hernandez called the game evenly for both teams.
“I think we were very composed the entire game,” redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Kasey Cannistraro said. “We just like to stay calm in the back.”
The Cyclones played with four defensive players on the back line and ran a good offside trap, taking away two key opportunities for the Wildcats. The Iowa State defense limited the their opponent’s offense to few opportunities throughout the contest, so well that Cannistraro did not record a save until the 55th minute.
The Iowa State defense allowed a minimum of two shots on goal in the contest while putting up six.
First goal for a freshman
It was true freshman forward Walters with the lone score of the contest. Walters received a pass from her keeper, Cannistraro, and proceeded to bury her left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
“I just saw the ball and was like yep, gotta score,” Walters said.
Walters came close to making it a two-goal win for the Cyclones. If it wasn’t for a fingertip save by Wildcat senior goalkeeper Olivia Ramey.
“The kid’s just relentless, I’m over the moon,” Fannon.
Walters has been the only freshman to start all season for Fannon. She’s had plenty of opportunities, but her first goal as a Cyclone was the winner against the Arizona Wildcats.
The team will enjoy the weekend off and then hit the road with a trip to Boulder, Colorado, and face the Buffaloes on Sept. 25. The contest will kick off at 8 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcast on ESPN+.