ORLANDO, Fla. – In the 2025 Big 12 Conference opener, the West Virginia University women's soccer team (5-2-1, 0-0-1 Big 12) played to a hard-fought, 0-0 draw with UCF at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex in Orlando on Thursday night.
 
The match became a defensive battle, as both teams fought diligently to save the clean sheet. Each team had solid chances throughout the match, but the respective goalkeepers and back lines were stout and kept the other off the scoreboard.
 
The most dangerous chance for either team came in the 14th minute when West Virginia was whistled for a handball in the box. However, UCF's ensuing penalty kick went off the crossbar and was cleared by the WVU defense to keep the game scoreless.
 
UCF won the offensive battle, outshooting West Virginia 14-8 as it became the first team to outshoot the Mountaineers this season. The Knights placed four shots on goal compared to one for WVU, while UCF also edged West Virginia in corner kicks, 7-2.
 
The Mountaineer defense was spectacular once again, securing their fifth straight shutout and sixth of the season. Despite allowing UCF to take 14 shots, they denied several chances and only allowed four to placed on frame. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth once again played very well, notching three saves and intercepting several of the Knights' crosses and corner kicks.
 
With the result, West Virginia's edge in the all-time series moves to 3-1-1, and each team will earn one point in the Big 12 standings.
 
West Virginia now looks ahead to a two-game road swing through Utah. The trip begins in Provo, as the Mountaineers are set to take on No. 10 BYU on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Kickoff at the Cougars' South Field is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
 
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