The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team travels to Ohio to face Mid-American Conference rival Akron onFriday, Oct. 5. Action gets underway at Lee Jackson Field at 7:15 p.m. EST.

The Cats (6-4-0, 2-0-0 MAC) enter this contest on a four-match winning streak that includes a victory overinstate-rival Western Kentucky. UK opened MAC play last weekend with victories over Western Michigan and NorthernIllinois to move into second place in the conference.

Senior Giovani Fernandes and freshman Chris Soler lead the way for UK, with seven points each, and they are tiedfor the team lead in goals (two) and assists (three). Against Northern Illinois, Fernandes scored the game-winner in the17th minute, opening up the flood-gates that led the Cats to a 4-0 triumph. Soler assisted the second goal in the 44thminute and then scored his goal less than three minutes later.

Senior Brian O’Leary protects the goal for the Cats. The reigning MAC Player of the Week has registered threeconsecutive shutouts, keeping the nets empty for the last 298 minutes, and is second in the league with a 0.75goals-against average. He has faced 66 shots with 17 saves.The Zips (3-4-3, 1-1-0 MAC) return home after a two-game road trip that resulted in losses to Ohio State and Marshall.

Despite the losses, Akron has played well this season as its 2-0 shutout of No. 2 Penn State shows. The Zips are led byChrister Larsen, who has two goals (two of which are game-winners) and three assists in 2000. In goal for UA is KyleMilligan. The 1999 first-team All-MAC selection has faced 115 shots, making 37 saves and giving up only 11 goals.In preseason voting by MAC coaches, Akron and UK were tabbed to finish 1-2 at season’s end. The Zips garnered 48points while the Cats captured 40.