Aug. 30, 2002

SYRACUSE, New York - Freshman Karen Stephens (Denton, Texas) scored with 20 seconds to play in the opening contest of the Syracuse Orange Classic to give the Red Raiders a 2-1 win over the Colgate Raiders in the team's season opener. Tech (1-0) will face the tournament host Syracuse Orangewomen on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Red Raiders fell behind 1-0 in the 11th minute when Colgate's Kate Harrett fired a shot from the left corner of the box that eluded Tech keeper Lindsay Fish (Dallas, Texas). The goal would be the only score allowed by Fish on the day as she finished the game with nine saves. Tech's Tracy Loyd (Lubbock, Texas) tallied the first score for the Red Raiders on the season in the 21st minute. Loyd took a pass from defender Roxanne Frilot (Albuquerque, N. M.) and drove in from the left and beat the keeper to knot the game a 1-1.

With the game still tied in the closing minutes, the stage was set for Stephens to put home the winner. Stephens received a pass from Tech midfielder Kerri Campbell (Duncanville, Texas) and put a shot top shelf to give the Red Raiders their first lead of the match with only seconds remaining.

Tech will face Southwest Texas in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 6th, at 7 p.m. at R. P. Fuller Stadium.