The Iowa State Cyclones will open the 2026‑27 women's soccer season on August 12, hosting Omaha at Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The match marks the first of a series that has seen the Cyclones win all three previous meetings.
This season also marks the 31st year of soccer at Iowa State and the seventh under head coach Matt Fannon, who will retire at the end of the 2026 campaign after a distinguished tenure.
A historic rivalry
Iowa State holds a 3‑0 all‑time record against the Omaha Mavericks, including a 4‑0 victory in 2012, and the team looks to extend that streak as it welcomes seven Power‑4 transfers to the roster.
Returning star midfielder Morgan Goodman, who netted four goals in 2025, anchors the attack alongside fellow impact players Megan Walters and Sophie Forrester. Their presence, combined with the offensive expectations for transfers Breezie Brewer and Izabella Tejeda, should bolster the Cyclones' scoring chances.
Coach Fannon’s final season adds a narrative of transition, as the team integrates new talent while relying on a core that scored 20 goals and allowed 28 in the previous campaign, finishing 16th in the Big 12 preseason poll.
The schedule continues on August 16 with a home game against Kansas City, dubbed Senior Day, which will be streamed live on ESPN+ and offered with free admission to fans.
Omaha, coming off a sixth‑place finish in the Summit League and a 30‑goal, 32‑goal season, will look to improve its standing as it faces the Cyclones in what promises to be a competitive opener.