Woelfel Buoys ISU Upset of No. 20 DePaul

AMES, Iowa?The Iowa State soccer team capitalized on two goals from freshman Amanda Woelfel en route to downing No. 20 DePaul, 3-1, Friday evening at the ISU Soccer Complex.

With the win ISU (2-0-2) remains undefeated and recorded its first victory over a ranked opponent since Oct. 16, 2007, when the Cyclones handed No. 16 Missouri a 1-0 overtime loss.

Iowa State head coach Wendy Dillinger feels the win epitomizes the evolution her squad has undertaken in the past year.

“The kids have really bought in and are believing in what we are capable of doing,” Dillinger said. “They are realizing what it takes to win. It was a great win. I told the team to enjoy it, but we need to be refocused come Sunday.”

The Cyclones put the Blue Demons (3-1-1) on their heels right away. Senior Casey Bothwell utilized a bad clearance attempt from DePaul goalkeeper Claire Hanold. Bothwell fired a low strike into the left corner from 10 yards to start the upset bid just 3:34 into the game.

Iowa State's advantage was short lived as DePaul's Dominique Locascio headed a corner kick into the top of the goal to level the match at one at the 14:51 mark.

The Cyclones pulled back ahead with nine minutes remaining in the opening half off Woelfel's first collegiate goal. The Omaha, Neb., native fired in a close-range shot after fellow freshman Jordan Wagner eluded a pair of Blue Demon defenders to strike a cross that found its way through traffic to the onrushing Woelfel.

Woelfel and the Cyclones picked up where they left off in the second half. Woelfel struck a low shot into the back of the DePaul net 2:40 after the intermission. The goal started on an ISU corner kick and it saw Megan Long record her first assist as a Cyclone.

Dillinger said Woelfel is taking advantage of her new role in the offense.

“Amanda is used to playing more of a defensive role,” Dillinger said. “She's stepping into this offensive role and doing some great things.”

For the match, DePaul outshot Iowa State 14-10, but the Cyclones held a 6-5 shots-on-goal advantage. The Blue Demons had 13 corner kicks to Iowa State's six.

ISU goalkeeper Ann Gleason made four saves and went the distance for the Cyclones.

Iowa State returns Sunday at 1 p.m. for a match against Wisconsin-Green Bay at the ISU Soccer Complex.

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Players Mentioned

Casey Bothwell

Casey Bothwell

Ann Gleason

Ann Gleason

Jordan Wagner

Amanda Woelfel

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