Eastern men’s soccer team (5-1-1) will travel south to play at 6 p.m. against Kentucky (1-3-2).

Eastern sophomore midfielder Jeff Kupiec said this game is important for the Panthers.

“This game will show us where we are,” Kupiec said.

The Panthers are coming off a 2-0 home victory against IUPUI and Eastern head coach Adam Howarth feels IUPUI plays a similar style to Kentucky.

“They are both direct teams and like to get the ball forward,” Howarth said. “We have to play hard and continue to play to our strengths.”

Eastern is ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region by the National Soccer Association of America.

In Kentucky’s last game, the team tied Michigan State 1-1.

Despite Kentucky’s injuries, sophomore forward Evan Philpott said the Wildcats are still very talented.

“Kentucky will be one of the most skilled teams we play all year,” Philpott said. “They will execute. If they make mistakes, we have to make sure to capitalize.”

This game will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

This will be the first of two Conference USA teams Eastern will play this season, when the Panthers will also play at Alabama-Birmingham on Oct. 3.