AMES — Coming off last weekend’s losses to the University of Jamestown, the 0-2 Cyclones were searching for their first win.

This weekend, Iowa State hosted McKendree University for a two-game stand, where the Cyclones earned their first win of the season Saturday after falling in overtime during Friday’s clash.

Game One:

Iowa State looks great despite a 0-0 score in the first period

From checking to scrums, the Cyclones put the pressure on the Bearcats early on.

The period opened with solid defense, and the energy was high. 

The first was a period of physicality and many shots on goal for Iowa State. The Cyclones dominated possession and kept the puck in the offensive zone for most of the period. 

The scoreboard reflected none of the actions that occurred. Defenseman Gabe Myers got into a slight scrum late in the period to fire up the team. 

With an early defensive edge, Iowa State was ready to put themselves on the board in the second period.

The Cyclones strike first and end the second period with a 2-1 lead

The beginning of the second period started with a bang as Iowa State put a goal on the board, scored by Matthew Mahoney, assisted by Ethan Ranger and Andrew Franey at 2:43. 

As the period continued, the Cyclones kept the defense up with multiple checks and even a slight scrum for forward Sam Eaton, which resulted in him receiving a penalty for roughing.

Farther along in the game, the Bearcats tied the game at 10:59. Iowa State quickly took that tie to reclaim the lead with a goal scored a few seconds after McKendree’s goal off of the faceoff by forward Andrew Jicha assisted by Myers.

Offensively, the Cyclones put themselves in a great position at the end of the second period, but the defense held off the Bearcats late in the period.

Goalie William Pinney was on top of this offense throughout the game. With his swift moves, he set himself up to perform necessary saves against these quick shots on goal.

“[With] my mobility, I think I’m able to get many shots and saves that other goalies aren’t able to get,” Pinney said.

McKendree sends it to overtime and wins it 3-2

The third period was fought hard, but at 11:22 in the period, the Bearcats tied it up. 

The rest of the period played out very defensively as tension built, and punches were thrown.

Minutes later, overtime began. McKendree ended this intense game with a 3-2 win. 

Iowa State head coach Jason Jaworski knows what this team is capable of, and he sees that in the style of play the Cyclones up on Friday Night.

“We just want to be consistent again,” Jaworski said. “We just need to put the nail to the coffin and press them a little more.”

Setting Iowa State up for success comes down to outstanding leadership. A great place to see leadership is in assistant captain Michael Mulkerrin.

“I’m a leader, so I feel like I set the tone,” Mulkerrin said. “People watch me; I can’t take a shift off. Start fast, don’t let up, know people’s places and put the puck in the net.”

Game Two:                                                                                                                                                                       

The Cyclones open Saturday’s game with a 1-0 lead in the first period

After a tight loss in overtime Friday night, Iowa State brought the offense out to take the early lead for the first time during Saturday’s game.

The first goal was scored at 5:34 by Mulkerrin, assisted by Dylan Hender and Franey.

Mulkerrin set the tone for the Cyclones early.

Iowa State was on top of the puck and kept it in the offensive zone for most of the period. On top of great offense, the defense performed in ways needed to hold the lead.

McKendree finds life in the second period

The second period was still full of offensive chances for the Cyclones, but the Bearcats put themselves in a position to take their first lead of the night. 

During the first part of the second period, the Iowa State offense had many shots on goal but no actual goals to extend its lead. 

The 1-0 Cyclone lead stayed strong until halfway through the period. 

Goals were scored by McKendree at 10:38 and 18:14 in the period, setting the Bearcats up for the lead ahead of the third period.

Although the Cyclones offensive energy began to fall, the chance for physicality rose. The loss of the lead during the period put Iowa State in a place to lay out all of its tricks and become a physical team.

As the period ended, the Cyclones sought a chance to reclaim their lead.

Iowa State reinstates its dominance in the third period to take its first victory of the season

John Kovarik scored an electric goal early in the third period. Just like that, the game was tied.

A few minutes later at 5:59 in the period, Jacob Schuldt scored a goal to give the Cyclones the lead again.

The last few minutes of the game played out with consistent defense to give Iowa State its first win of the season.

This game was heavily influenced by the leaders of the team, Schuldt and Mulkerrin.

To win this game, all the team needed was consistency.

“We just kept working hard,” Schuldt said. “That’s what we needed to learn.”

After a split weekend for the Cyclones, they look to advance their game. Iowa State will now head to Springfield, Missouri, to take on Drury University on Friday and Saturday.