K-State soccer lost in its season finale tonight vs Iowa State, 1-0, in Ames, Iowa. They moved to 0-9-0 in Big 12 play and 4-12-2 overall, finishing last in the conference.
The decisive goal came in the 73rd minute when senior midfielder Emily Steil got ahold of a loose ball on the Wildcat’s side of the field and pounded it in from 17 yards out.
For Iowa State, the win and a loss by Oklahoma State should vault them into the eighth spot in the Big 12 Tournament since they beat Oklahoma State on Sunday. It is the end of the road for K-State’s 2018 campaign.
K-State took most of their Big 12 opponents to a scoreless tie at halftime, ultimately losing in the second half.
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K-state soccer to finish season against Iowa State
“We learned a lot in terms of what it takes to win those close games,” said head coach Mike Dibbini to K-State Sports. “We put ourselves in a position every single match this season to actually compete in those games and show we are capable of trying to win those games. The more experience we give ourselves, the better we will get at it.”
The Wildcats were outshot in the first half 9-5 and 14-9 overall. Iowa State had seven shots on goal to K-State’s two in the match.
Dibbini told K-State sports after the loss that the season’s woes came down to failing to capitalize on mistakes and the fact that the program is still in its infancy.
“When we made mistakes, the other teams capitalized on them. When we play teams and they make mistakes, we didn’t capitalize like we should have. We need to get better in executing those chances.” Dibbini said to K-State Sports. “We can’t forget that we are trying to do 20-some years of work in year two of Big 12 play. It is not going to happen overnight. It is part of the process.”
K-State soccer will resume play in a new home next season after the completion of Buser Family Park. The new stadium will provide on-site locker rooms and more permanent seating for fans than the bleachers on next to the former outdoor football practice facility provided.
