Walters’ Late Goal Helps ISU Down Arizona in Big 12 Opener

AMES, Iowa – For the second consecutive season, Iowa State (4-1-2, 1-0 Big 12) opened conference play with a win, as it defeated Arizona (5-4, 0-1 Big 12) Thursday evening by a score of 1-0.

The Cyclones have now won three straight matches for the first time since 2016. Iowa State has also now won back-to-back Big 12 openers for the first time since 2006/07.

Freshman forward Megan Walters was the hero for the Cyclones, as the Overland Park, Kansas, native notched her first career goal in the 79th minute. Walters took a long feed from keeper Kasey Cannistraro, took advantage of a fallen defender, and snuck a left-footed shot far post past the Wildcat keeper to give ISU the edge and eventually the win.

Walters was the offense for the Cyclones on the evening, as the rookie had a game-high four shots and a game-high two on goal. Senior Taylor Spitzer chipped in three shots of her own while four other Cyclones recorded one shot.

Kasey Cannistraro collected her second complete-game clean sheet, blanking the Wildcats. Cannistraro faced eight shots and pulled in a pair of saves.

Narissa Fults led the Wildcats with a pair of shots and was one of seven Arizona players to play the full 90 minutes. UA only went three players deep on its bench on the evening. Wildcat keeper Olivia Ramey finished the game with five saves.

The Cyclones outshot the Wildcats, 11-8, though Arizona held the advantage in corners, 6-5. UA finished with more saves (5) and fouls (13) than the Cyclones. With the win, ISU moves to 3-2 all-time against Arizona and has won two straight over the Wildcats.

How it Happened
Both sides spent the first ten minutes of the opening half feeling each other out, as the first shot from either side didn't come until the tenth minute.

The first half would continue at that pace, as each team went into the break tied at zero and each side attempting just three shots. Two of ISU's first-half attempts came on goal and were saved, while all three of Arizona's missed the mark.

At the break, Arizona had four corner kicks to ISU's zero, two saves to ISU's zero and seven fouls to ISU's three.

Both teams saw their aggression tick up in the second stanza as shots began to fly more frequently from each side. After trading six shots in the first 15 minutes, play slowed as ISU controlled the momentum for the next ten ticks.

After seeing three shots go unsuccessful during that span, Walters broke the stalemate in the 79th minute as she took advantage of a fallen defender, defeated a double team and lobbed a left-footed score to the back post.

The Cyclones would limit Arizona to just one attempt in the final ten minutes as it hung on to secure the conference win.

Fannon's Thoughts
Coming out with a Big 12 Opening Win:
"We knew Arizona was a really good team going in. We knew that we were going to have to deal with them being so good in possession. The whole game we felt really comfortable and really good about our gameplan. I thought our women executed it really well and I thought we deserved to win the game."

Goals
Iowa State: Megan Walters – 78:22 (1)
Arizona: N/A

Assists
Iowa State: Kasey Cannistraro (1)
Arizona: N/A

Up Next
The Cyclones will be back in action next Thursday, Sept. 25, when they travel to Boulder to take on Colorado. The Buffs and Cyclones will square off at 8 pm CT and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Walters’ Late Goal Helps ISU Down Arizona in Big 12 Opener

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Megan Walters

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Walters’ Late Goal Helps ISU Down Arizona in Big 12 Opener

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Megan Walters

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Taylor Spitzer

Chloe Broughton

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Kasey Cannistraro

Taylor Spitzer

Megan Walters

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