Cyclones head south for climate change against Sun Devils

Midfielder Regan John (20) passes a bench top layer to forward Sophie Forrester (30) as they are substituted out at the Iowa State University vs. The University of Utah soccer game at the Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames, Iowa, Oct. 1, 2026.

The Iowa State women’s soccer team (4-5-3, 0-3-1 Big 12) is traveling south for a two-game series in Arizona, starting with Arizona State (7-3-2, 2-2).

The game kicks off at 9 p.m. at the Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, and can be streamed on ESPN+.

The projected temperature at kickoff is 89 degrees Fahrenheit, a drastic change from the mid-70s Ames residents have been experiencing. The two completely different climates could give the Cyclones trouble, as this is not what they have been playing in for the past few weeks.

“I always want to say no [in regard to the weather],” assistant coach Jaycie Ackerman said. “But you never know. We’re going to make sure our preparation is there: hydration, nutrition, recovery, all the factors that play into it.”

It will have been exactly one week since the Cyclones last played, where they drew 1-1 at home against Utah.

Arizona State brings in a different kind of energy. On Sept. 24, the Sun Devils took a 2-0 loss to Kansas. Then, they turned around and beat Kansas State in a 2-0 road game.

Now, coming into Thursday following another 2-0 loss to No. 14 Texas Tech, one can expect Arizona State to bring the heat.

“They have a lot of European and foreign players,” Ackerman said. “So that will definitely be a challenge for us going into that.”

“We’ll just focus on cleaning some more things up defensively,” Ackerman said. “Also getting some goals in the back of the net.”

Thursday’s match is set to be a defensive battle. Arizona State has only let up nine goals so far this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn has 38 saves on the season and an 80.9% save percentage.

That is four saves less than standout redshirt freshman Eme McClenahan, who currently sits at 42 saves with a 79.2% save percentage.

“I definitely think it will be a defensive battle,” Ackerman said. “It’ll come down to whoever breaks down first and who can capitalize on those moments.”

Defense has been a strong point for the Cyclones in this tough conference stretch, a big asset going into this game.

“We want to make sure we apply pressure and make them feel our pressure,” Ackerman said. “Then it’s kind of a battle from there of who can take care of the ball and who can get that goal first.”

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Lindsay Beyer is a sophomore at Iowa State University, majoring in agricultural communications and sports media. This is Lindsay’s second year with the Iowa State Daily as a sports reporter.

I am a first year student at Iowa State University majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. I have had a strong passion for photography and journalism. This is my first year at the Iowa State Daily as a photographer for the visuals team.