LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The Kentucky soccer team aims to start the season on the right foot when it kicks off play on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Florida Atlantic in the UK Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex.

The Wildcats and Owls play the second of two games on the day as IUPUI meets Wisconsin-Green Bay at 5 p.m. The tournament continues on Saturday with UK facing UW-Green Bay and FAU squaring off with IUPUI.

It is the first meeting between the Wildcats and Florida Atlantic all time while UK fought to a draw with the Phoenix in their only meeting in 1997.

Kentucky?s string of eight straight 10-win seasons came to an end in 2005, but the Wildcats are prepared to begin a new run this year with seven returning starters, including preseason All-Conference USA honoree Michael D?Agostino.

The biggest change from last year?s squad will be on the defensive end, where UK is breaking in a new goalkeeper to replace current MLS player Andy Gruenebaum. The Wilcats also must fill the shoes of departed seniors Brandon Stewart and Thomas Senecal, both all-conference honorees.

However, a trio of high school All-Americans enter the fray, including two on the defensive end to help fill the void. Nathan Li and Nathan Marks are proven defenders who return and should provide leadership in the back.

Offensively, the Wildcats hope a healthy Riley O?Neill will regain his freshman form, which propelled him to the team lead in goals with seven. He also led the Wildcats in scoring last year with four tallies.

In the midfield, D?Agostino anchors a group that returns all of its starters from last season and will be the core of the team. Last season, D?Agostino, who competed for the Canadian U-20 National Team in the offseason, led the team with six assists.

Last season, UK swept the tournament with wins over rival Louisville and Alabama A&M. The Wildcats have a four-game unbeaten streak in the annual event.