After a pair of tough losses last weekend in the Kentucky Invitational, the Kentucky women?s soccer team hits the road this weekend looking for its initial victory of the 2004 campaign. The Cats take on 20th-ranked Michigan (0-2) Friday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Mich., before heading to East Lansing Sunday to meet Michigan State (2-0). Kentucky and Michigan are slated for a 4 p.m. EDT start at the U-M Soccer Field.

Michigan joins Kentucky in its search for its first victory in 2004. The Wolverines suffered a 2-1 defeat in the season opener last Friday at No. 5 Texas A&M before sustaining a 4-1 defeat two days later at No. 13 Texas. Michigan returns 16 letter winners and 9 starters from the 2003 squad that made the NCAA Sweet 16.

The Cats and Wolverines last met on the pitch two seasons ago in Lexington, where Kentucky claimed a 1-0 victory on Senior Day. UK has won the last three matches against Michigan, including a 2-1 win in the teams? last meeting in Ann Arbor three seasons ago. Kentucky holds a 3-2-1 edge in the series that dates back to 1996.

Michigan State enters this weekend?s match with a bit of momentum after a pair of opening-weekend victories against Colorado College and Western Michigan. The Spartans hold a No. 7 ranking in the 54-team Great Lakes region and return 17 letter winners from their 2003 squad. MSU sent the Cats to a 2-0 defeat in Lexington two seasons ago for its second win in the four-match series. Kentucky?s last trip to East Lansing in 2001 resulted in a 6-0 Wildcat victory. Michigan State holds a 2-1-1 lead in the overall series.

UK Coach Warren Lipka holds a 16-14-3 record against Big Ten opponents. Kentucky met its first Big Ten opponent of the season last Sunday when Wisconsin dealt the Cats a 3-1 defeat.