UK Women’s Soccer has a big test in Big Ten matchups

'Cats host #3 UCLA on Sunday September 8 at home

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Kentucky women’s soccer stands at 5-0 for the first time since 2012, but the Wildcats’ perfect record will be heavily tested heading into the coming weeks.

Head Coach Troy Fabiano has 25 newcomers in the squad and is preparing them for the SEC slate by playing the best of best in another conference.

“With the transition of our roster we have a lot of unknowns. In the next three weeks which is basically four games, we’ll start to find out about our identity a little better,” said Fabiano.

UK has two games against Big Ten opponents on its schedule. The first test, away to Illinois, has already been passed. Makala Woods scored one against her former team on the way to a 2-1 victory.

Kentucky’s next Big Ten opponent will be more formidable though.

#9 UCLA comes to Lexington on Sunday September 8 at Noon. The Bruins are two time National Champions, have produced 29 All-Americans and are 5-1 on the season.

Fabiano thinks that match will tell him and his staff where the team really stands against the top teams in the nation.

“As I get asked all the time, ‘Do you guys feel like you’re ready for the SEC?,'” said Fabiano. ‘The biggest thing is can we focus in on ourselves rather than what everyone else is doing in the SEC.”

Across the conference, four teams are in the most recent United Soccer Coaches NCAA Top 25 rankings for women’s soccer.

Arkansas at sixth, Auburn tied for 13th, Texas at 16th and Alabama at 24th.