Iowa State Blanks Mississippi State

AMES, Iowa - Under constant Sunday afternoon rain showers, the Iowa State soccer team topped Mississippi State 2-0. ISU made just its second appearance at home in seven games this season. With the victory, the Cyclones improve to 3-2-2 overall while Mississippi State drops to 4-3-1. Iowa State is 2-0 all-time against MSU.

Iowa State sophomore Kristina Baumann found several scoring chances early, taking Iowa State's first three shots. Just under 10 minutes into the game, Baumann fired a shot that hit the crossbar. Midway through the half, MSU had a sequence of three shots on goal, two by Betty Ann Casey and another by Heidi Ondra, but the Cyclone defense denied all three. ISU goalkeeper Beth Chapman made three of her five first-half saves in a five-minute span.

The Cyclones found the back of the net with just under five minutes remaining in the first half. Erin Weldon's free kick was initially cleared by the Bulldogs, but Deb Benakis collected the loose ball. She sent a pass back into the box and Kate Kirwan headed it into the goal. Kirwan collected her second goal in as many games and is tied for the team lead with six points.

ISU struck again less than 10 minutes into the second half when Baumann collected a loose ball in the box and knocked it in for her second goal of the season. Jess Villhauer assisted on the play. The Cyclone defense stopped another Bulldog attack a few minutes later, when consecutive shots by Amber Rose and Kristin Peterson were denied.

Mississippi State finished with a 15-11 edge in shots while Iowa State had a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.

"We were able to get some opportunities from the flanks today," Iowa State head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said. "We had some good services from the outside."

Chapman collected a season-high eight saves and posted her second shutout of the season. She has nine career shutouts, which ties Lynley Hilligoss for the all-time ISU career record.

"Beth did what she had to do to preserve the shutout," Hornbacher said. "We rely on her leadership on the defensive end."

Iowa State opens the Big 12 season at Nebraska Friday, Sept. 26. ISU enters the Big 12 portion of the schedule with a winning record for the first time since 2000.

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Players Mentioned

Kristina Baumann

Kristina Baumann

Deb Benakis

Deb Benakis

Beth Chapman

Beth Chapman

Kate Kirwan

Jess Villhauer

Erin Weldon

Erin Weldon

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Iowa State University Athletics