K-State Earns Draw at Iowa State in Big 12 Opener
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AMES, Iowa (Kansas State Athletics) – K-State ended a four-match losing streak in Big 12 matches on Thursday night, as the Wildcats earned a draw at Iowa State, 0-0. K-State is now 4-4-2, 0-0-1 Big 12 this season while Iowa State is 3-3-3, 0-0-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– K-State entered Thursday’s match with losses in four straight Big 12 matches dating back to the final four matches of 2021 but ended the skid with the draw.
– The Wildcats earned its first real chance of the night in the 16th minute. Porter List was interfered with at the top of the 18-yard box by an Iowa State defender and the Cyclone goalkeeper, Jordan Silkowitz, as List attempted a shot, resulting in a K-State free kick.
– Kyler Goins attempted the kick and forced a diving save at the left post by Silkowitz. Goins would finish the night with a team-leading three shots, including two on goal.
– Moments later after an Iowa State turnover in the K-State attacking third, Goins found herself one-on-one with Silkowitz. Goins attempted her shot from 17 yards but Silkowitz had come off her line to cut down the angle to make the save. Silkowitz ended the night with 10 saves.
– In the second half, K-State outshot Iowa State, 7-1, but were unable to find twine.
– The Wildcats’ best opportunity of the second half came in the 67th minute. A Maddie Weichel corner kick was temporarily cleared from danger by the Cyclones. The ball would pinball to Caylee Thornhill at the top of the 18-yard box. Thornhill slalomed through Iowa State defenders and teed up a shot from eight yards. Silkowitz pushed the ball over the bar to end the threat.
– Thornhill ended the night with two shots including one on goal.
– K-State ended the night with a 15-9 shot advantage and a 10-5 lead in shots on goal. The Wildcats also held an 8-4 lead in corner kicks.
– With its 10 shots on goal, K-State set the school record for shots on goal in a Big 12 match. The previous mark was eight against Oklahoma on Sept. 23, 2018.
– Junior goalkeeper Alaina Werremeyer tied the school record for career shutouts with her 10th. This was her fifth shutout this season, moving her into a tie for second in school history for shutouts in a season.
– Werremeyer ended the night with five saves. This was her 16th career match with five or more saves and third this season.
QUICK FACTS
– K-State is 6-40-4 all-time against teams from the Big 12 Conference.
– The Wildcats are 2-4-1 all-time against Iowa State.
– Kansas State falls to 15-26-6 all-time in the month of September.
– With the draw, K-State ended a five match losing streak in Big 12 openers.
– With her start in goal on Thursday, Werremeyer set the school record for appearances in goal with 33, breaking the record held by Miranda Larkin (2016-17). She also tied the school record for career starts with her 32nd.
– During the match, Werremeyer also passed Larkin on the K-State career minutes played in goal list. Werremeyer now owns 2,996:14 in frame.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Mike Dibbini
On defensive pressure in final 75 minutes…
“It was a combination of our game plan of trying to see what they’re going to throw at us first and we had some jitters. I’m not going to sit here and say we didn’t. We looked a little nervous and reactive in the first 10-15 minutes. So that was part of the plan. Knowing that, you know, we had to settle the game down. And after 15 minutes we settled in and I felt like we controlled most of the rest of the game, especially in the second half.”
On the lift from the Kyler Goins free kick…
“I think it unlocked us. I think once we figured out we have an opportunity to get shots off. We felt like that kind of carried over into the rest of the game.”
On out-shooting Iowa State 7-1 in the second half…
“We were getting a little greedy we wanted to separate and find that game-winner but unfortunately their goalkeeper made some massive saves to keep them in the game.”
On earning a point in a Big 12 opener for the first time…
“It’s important. We haven’t done this before, especially on the road. It’s tough to get a point and a result on the road and we did what we needed to do tonight. And now we can take that momentum and continue to push forward and see how we do.”
UP NEXT
K-State returns to Buser Family Park on Sunday at 1 p.m., as the Wildcats host Oklahoma State. The first 100 fans will receive either a K-State soccer cowbell or noisemaker.
Sunday’s match is also Junior Wildcat Day, as members of the Junior Wildcat Club will receive concession discounts and the opportunity to participate in pregame activities and receive autographs from Willie Wildcat. For tickets, visit kstatesports.com/tickets or call 800-221-CATS.
