Cowgirl Soccer Faces Iowa State with Big 12 Tournament Hopes on the Line
Oklahoma State travels to Ames, Iowa, on Thursday, October 29, carrying a 6-7-4 overall record and an 11th-place standing in the Big 12 at 2-5-2. According to okstate.com, the Cowgirls are one of six teams still battling for a top-eight conference finish and a berth in the Big 12 Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Cyclone Sports Complex, with live coverage on ESPN+ featuring Tom Kroeschell and Lindsey Long.
The stakes are sharp for a squad trying to reverse a difficult trajectory. After enduring a 4-13-2 campaign in 2025 where they went winless in conference play, the Cowgirls have shown flashes of resilience this fall. Head coach Colin Carmichael, now in his 22nd season with a career record of 269-123-55, has seen his team net 32 goals through 17 matches—a clear escalation from the 20 goals they managed across 19 games a year ago. Despite the momentum, the team’s postseason position remains precarious, as only six teams remain in contention for a top-eight finish.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
Offensive production has diversified significantly. Eleven different Cowgirls have found the back of the net this season, led by sophomore Sonora DeFini. DeFini paces the team with 17 points, coming off seven goals and three assists, placing her ninth in goals and tied for sixth in points across the Big 12. Senior midfielder Laudan Wilson, returning after missing much of last season with an injury, adds five goals to sit second on the squad. Wilson, an All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2024, has tied her career high for goals in a single season.
Knocking Off The Nationally Ranked
The team’s recent surge is defined by high-profile victories. Both of the Cowgirls’ conference wins this season have come against ranked opponents. A recent 2-1 victory over 16th-ranked West Virginia, secured by a penalty kick with two minutes remaining, followed a win over No. 14 TCU. The triumph over TCU snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Horned Frogs and marked Oklahoma State’s first win over that opponent since 2017. It also represented the Cowgirls’ first Big 12 victory since October 20, 2024, when they defeated UCF.
Chasing History in Ames
Standing across the pitch on Thursday will be an Iowa State side looking to break through in conference play. The Cyclones enter the matchup at 4-9-4 overall and 0-7-2 in Big 12 action under seventh-year head coach Matt Fannon, who holds a 28-65-24 career record.
Historical precedent favors the visitors. Oklahoma State holds a 16-10-2 advantage all-time against Iowa State and has captured the last five meetings. In Ames, the Cowgirls hold a 6-7-1 record but have claimed victory in their last four matches on the Cyclones’ home turf.
Following Thursday night’s contest, the Cowgirls will close out their regular-season schedule next week on the road against Colorado, leaving their postseason fate entirely dependent on how they close out the final stretch.
