Iowa State vs. UCF Primer

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

Where: Cyclone Soccer Complex – Ames, Iowa

When: September 19 – 6 p.m.

Kicking Off
Having concluded non-conference play in its last outing against No. 17 Iowa, ISU returns to Big 12 action on Thursday. The Cyclones will host UCF, who joined the Big 12 last season, in the two teams' first-ever meeting.

The Cyclones look to rebound from a shutout loss to in-state foe Iowa on Sunday against the Knights, who have only dropped one contest this season. The Cyclones are meeting two schools (UCF and Utah) for the first time this season after meeting three conference newcomers for the first time last season (Cincinnati, Houston and BYU).

After having the weekend off, UCF will come to Ames for a solo road trip in its first road Big 12 action of the 2024 season. The Knights were 3-2 on the road in Big 12 play last season, owning wins over Oklahoma, Cincinnati and Houston. In its last outing, UCF plastered Houston 5-0 in Orlando.

From the Notebook

For the first time since 2016, Iowa State opened Big 12 conference play with a win, defeating Kansas 1-0 in Lawrence. It was the second straight year ISU beat KU 1-0.
The Cyclones earned their second shutout of the season against Kansas, as keeper Avery Gillahan ran her career clean sheet mark to five.
It took both Magdalena Keck and Morgan Furmaniak just five matches to have at least three goals scored. Last year, it took ISU until the 12th game to have a pair of players with three goals.
Iowa State had eight goal scorers last season and already eclipsed that number (9) against Michigan.
Injuries have played a part in the early season for the Cyclones. Olivia Edwards, Jocelyn Bice and Avery Horner have been held out of all nine games, while senior Hannah Shaw will likely miss the remainder of the season after being injured at Memphis.
ISU's six goals against UNI were its most since 2012, when it put seven on the board against UNI, winning 7-1. The team also posted its most assists in a single game since 2014.
Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon earned career win number 100 against UNI on 8/25.
For just the 16th time in 538 outings, Iowa State scored 6+ goals in a match against UNI to close out August.
Iowa State's 12 regular season home games are tied for the most in a single season in school history. The only other time ISU had 12 home games (1997), the team went 9-3.

Leading the Cyclones
Through nine contests, the Cyclones boast a balanced offense. Senior Magdalena Keck leads the team in points (9), holding a trio of goals while also toting a team-high three assists. Fellow senior Morgan Furmaniak holds the team lead in goals with four.

Senior Hannah Shaw and Sophia Thomas each have a pair of scores to round out the multi-goal athletes for ISU. Defenders Ella Zimmerman, Isabella Agrusso, Adelaide Wolfe and Chloe Broughton all also have goals to their names, along with midfielder Seulgi Lee.

Avery Gillahan has been the primary keeper this season in the net for the Cyclones, having played 790 minutes. Gilly tallied her fifth career shutout and second of the season against Kansas on Thursday. She currently has 44 saves and holds a 1.59 goals-against average.

Opponent Outlook
UCF boasts the conference's most prolific scorer, as Chloe Netzel leads the league in goals per game (1.3) and shots per game (5). Netzel also averages a conference-best 3.17 shots on goal and totes a conference-high 2.83 points per game scored.

Outside of Netzel, six other Knights have registered scores. Annika Huhta and Emily Thompson have yet to score, but the pair own team highs in assists – each with three. The only other athlete with multiple goals this season is freshman Edidiong Etim who has two.

Sami Lipcon has been the primary keeper for UCF this season, as she's played all but 45 minutes for the Knights. Lipcon has 27 saves to her name and has allowed just five goals, resulting in a 0.91 goals-against average. She has one shutout this year.

Series History
UCF and Iowa State will be meeting for the first time ever on Thursday. Last season, in matches against schools they've never faced, the Cyclones went 2-2.

Up Next
Iowa State will wrap up a three-game homestand on Sunday, as the Cyclones will welcome No. 21 Colorado to Ames. Sunday's match will be the annual Pups at the Pitch contest, so make sure to register beforehand if you'd like to bring your furry friend along. Sunday's contest is set to begin at noon and will be streamed live on ESPN+. As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Sports Complex is free.

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Players Mentioned

Isabella Agrusso

Jocelyn Bice

Chloe Broughton

Olivia Edwards

Morgan Furmaniak

Avery Gillahan

Avery Horner

Magdalena Keck

Seulgi Lee

Hannah Shaw

Sophia Thomas

Adelaide Wolfe

Ella Zimmerman

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics