MANHATTAN, KANSAS — Iowa St. and Kansas St. played to a 2-2 draw Thursday night in a back-and-forth Big 12 matchup that saw both teams squander opportunities to claim victory. The Cyclones, struggling at 4-9-4, earned a crucial point on the road, while the Wildcats, sitting at 7-6-5, couldn't capitalize on their home-field advantage despite dominating stretches of play. The match drew a solid crowd to Ahearn Field in what became a defensive chess match with both sides trading blows throughout ninety minutes.
The scoring began in the 27th minute when Andra Mohler gave Kansas St. an early lead, with Jayce Woodward and Rilyn Rintoul combining on the assist. Iowa St. responded quickly in the 30th minute through Morgan Goodman, leveling the match at 1-1. The Wildcats reclaimed the advantage in the 60th minute when Rilyn Rintoul found the back of the net, assisted by Allison Marshall and Chloe Dillbeck, pushing Kansas St. ahead 2-1. Taylor Spitzer equalized for the Cyclones in the 78th minute with help from Gili Johnson and Ella Ciardullo, setting up the dramatic finish.
Iowa St. came out aggressive in the opening half, testing Kansas St.'s defense with multiple corner opportunities. Ella Zimmerman had a pair of chances that sailed high, while Isabella Agrusso couldn't find the target on a low attempt. The Wildcats countered with their own pressure, with Allison Marshall and Lily Hendrickson creating problems in the Cyclones' box. The first forty-five minutes featured end-to-end play, though neither team could break through until Mohler's breakthrough late in the period.
The second half intensified the battle for control. Kansas St. dominated possession for stretches, particularly in the 50th and 60th minutes, forcing Iowa St. goalkeeper to make critical stops. Rilyn Rintoul proved dangerous throughout, testing the Iowa St. defense repeatedly with shots from distance. The Cyclones, meanwhile, showed resilience despite being down a goal, pressing forward with renewed urgency after Goodman's equalizer. Substitutions from both benches altered the rhythm multiple times, with fresh legs providing bursts of energy when fatigue threatened to set in.
Statistically, Kansas St. held a slight edge with 14 shot attempts to Iowa St.'s 12, though the Cyclones managed five shots on goal compared to the Wildcats' six. Both teams earned four corners, while the goalkeepers combined for seven saves. Yellow cards were distributed evenly—Ella Zimmerman and Lucy Froitzheim drew cautions for Iowa St., while Chloe Dillbeck and Lailah Benz received yellows for Kansas St. The physical nature of the match never boiled over into serious controversy, though the officials maintained a steady hand throughout.
Zimmerman's performance stood out for Iowa St., creating multiple dangerous moments despite drawing a caution in the 53rd minute. Spitzer's late equalizer showcased her ability to finish under pressure, keeping the Cyclones' tournament hopes alive. For Kansas St., Rintoul's two-goal effort demonstrated her importance to the Wildcats' attack, though the team couldn't find a way past the Iowa St. defense when it mattered most. Marshall's defensive contributions anchored the Kansas St. backline, though she couldn't prevent the late leveler.
The draw leaves both teams searching for consistency as conference play intensifies. Iowa St., winless in their last three outings, will view this result as a positive step forward despite their struggles this season. Kansas St. drops points at home after consecutive road matches, a concerning trend for a team hoping to climb the Big 12 standings. Neither squad can afford many more draws if they hope to position themselves favorably for the NCAA Tournament selection committee's consideration.
Iowa St. returns home to face their next opponent, while Kansas St. prepares for another road test. Both teams will look to build on the attacking moments displayed Thursday night while tightening their defensive shape. The draw serves as a reminder that in college soccer, momentum can shift in an instant—and both programs will be eager to find their next victory.