LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky men?s soccer team returns to action Friday at 7 p.m. when it takes on Conference USA foe South Carolina at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium.

The Wildcats (4-4-4, 1-2-1 C-USA) are coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to league leader SMU. In the game, the Mustangs scored on a counterattack with three seconds remaining to seal the victory. The loss snapped Kentucky?s eight-game home-unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, South Carolina (5-5-1, 2-0-1) is tied for second in the conference.

?South Carolina is quality opponent. They started well and are on hot streak right now,? Kentucky head coach Ian Collins said. ?This will be a difficult game for us. But, I like the spirit of our team, the willingness and work ethic the guys have been showing. The quality of this league is apparent and coming on the road is extremely hard, but we?ll be ready for the challenge.?

The Wildcats are hoping to end a pair of streaks in the contest. Kentucky has yet to win away from home this year, posting an 0-3-3 mark and the Gamecocks are unbeaten in their last six.

?We?ve been knocking on the door in all those games and had opportunities to win,? Collins said. ?It?s a recurring pattern and it?s frustrating because we?re in every game, we just have to keep plugging and good things will happen.?

Kentucky will be forced to play without two key players. Last time out, junior forward Riley O?Neill (Campbell River, British Columbia/Timberline) earned a red card while sophomore midfielder Nathan Marks (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) picked up his fifth yellow.

O?Neill has been UK?s key offensive threat as he has scored or assisted on nine of the Wildcats 15 goals this year.

?We?ll be starting four freshmen and three sophomores challenge,? Collins said. ?We?re missing our leading goal scorer and one of our best defenders, so the young guys will have to step up and I?m confident they will.?

It is the third meeting for the two teams, but the first since 1992. The Gamecocks won each of the previous contests.