Iowa State Falls to No. 15 Colorado in Big 12 Opener

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State went toe-to-toe with No. 15 Colorado on Thursday night, turned the game into a scrap, and still walked away with nothing to show for it.

One whistle decided it.

The Cyclones’ upset bid in their Big 12 opener died on a first-half penalty, as Colorado escaped with a 1-0 win in a bruising contest that never allowed either side to breathe.

Defense sets the tone

From the opening minutes, Iowa State made it clear Colorado’s high-powered attack wouldn’t have the usual freedom.

The Buffaloes fired off three shots in the first 10 minutes, only to find a Cyclone back line that refused to flinch. Two efforts were blocked, the other drifted wide. Every Colorado touch in the attacking third met resistance, tackles, and bodies in the way.

Iowa State then punched back.

Midway through the first half, Morgan Goodman carved out a pair of chances. Her first effort forced Colorado keeper Brooke Goerish into action; the second skipped off target, but it signaled that ISU wasn’t just there to absorb pressure.

Colorado responded like a ranked side. Four shots in a frantic three-minute burst tested Iowa State keeper Eme McClenahan, and she answered all four, stacking up saves to keep the game level and the Cyclones believing.

One mistake, one moment

The belief held until the 40th minute.

After Iowa State enjoyed a solid spell of possession, the ball swung back into Colorado’s attacking third. On the edge of the box, a foul by Makenna Marshall handed the Buffaloes the opening they had been chasing.

Captain Reagan Kotschau stepped up to the spot. McClenahan guessed, stretched, and still couldn’t get enough on it. Kotschau’s penalty slipped just past her outstretched arm at 40:16, giving Colorado a 1-0 lead and, ultimately, the only goal of the night.

At halftime, the numbers told a clear story: Colorado up 9-3 in shots and 1-0 in corners, Iowa State hanging on behind four McClenahan saves, all in that wild first-half flurry.

Late push, no reward

Iowa State refused to fade.

The Cyclones generated five shots in the second half and slowly dragged the game into a nervy finish for the visitors. The best chance came in the 85th minute, when the match finally felt like it might tilt.

Cassidy Corcione unleashed a rocket from outside the box, a driven effort that seemed destined for the net. Goerish got just enough of a fingertip to deflect it onto the crossbar. The rebound dropped invitingly to Sophie Forester in front of goal, but her follow-up flew wide, the chance gone in a heartbeat.

That was the moment. Iowa State never found another.

Numbers behind the battle

Colorado finished with a 13-8 edge in shots and a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks. Iowa State, forced to absorb pressure for long stretches, tallied more saves, 6-3, but also more fouls, 14-11, in a game that never shied away from contact.

Three Cyclones — Goodman, Corcione and Izzy Kapanke — each recorded two shots and were responsible for all three of ISU’s efforts on target. In the spine of the team, Maia Soulis and Danica Lunceford went the distance, playing all 90 minutes, as did McClenahan in goal.

For Colorado, Kotschau not only buried the decisive penalty but also led all players with five shots, three on frame. 2025 Big 12 Forward of the Year Hope Leyba added three more attempts, one on target, as the Buffaloes leaned on their stars to grind out the conference-opening win.

Goerish’s three saves sealed the clean sheet and preserved Colorado’s 7-1-1 start, while Iowa State dropped to 4-3-2 and 0-1 in Big 12 play — left to wonder how different the night might have looked without that single foul on the edge of the box.