Feb. 23, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Facing one of the nation's top teams from the 2007 season, the Texas Tech soccer team won its opening spring match Saturday, defeating UCF, 2-0, in Austin.

After heading into halftime at zero, Maegan Wilber scored the first of two Tech goals in the 60th minute off a Halie Cdebaca pass. Eleven minutes later, Katie Hinds connected on a header from a Megan Hoffert pass.

The Red Raiders outshot the Knights, 12-1, while also attempting two corner kicks to UCF's one. Tina Rincon and Colleen Pitts combined for the shutout.

UCF finished 15-4-4 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

"We knew this would be a challenge given the caliber of the UCF program and the year they had," Tech head coach Tom Stone said. "The spring season is all about player and team development but winning is an important element for confidence and mentality, so we are pleased that we grew as a team today and managed to get the result we were hoping for."

The Red Raiders resume spring play next month, beginning with West Texas A&M March 8 in Canyon.