As the UK men’s soccer team hit the road for Bloomington, Indiana, they looked like they were David heading towards Goliath. After all, they were not just playing any other undefeated team, they were playing the No. 1 Indiana University Hoosiers.

A chance to dethrone the Hoosiers from the No. 1 spot presented UK an opportunity to show the nation the remarkable potential the young Cats possess. However, despite a competitive effort against IU, the No. 19 Cats lost to the Hoosiers 2-0.

Indiana, undefeated at home with a 3-0-1 record, came into the game riding a six-game win streak. So far, the Hoosiers have scored 30 goals this year while conceding only two, and Indiana goalkeeper Trey Muse currently leads the NCAA in shutouts with 10. The Wildcats are now 1-25-3 against Indiana all-time.

Indiana wasted little time showing out. In the 13th minute, Timothy Mehl knocked in a Trevor Schwartz free kick from the left to put the Hoosiers up 1-0. Soon after, Austin Panchot had a kick to the goal from the left in the 30th minute. Luckily for UK, goalkeeper Enrique Facusse redeemed himself with a diving save.

The last 15 minutes of the half presented a lot of action on both ends, but the Cats were unable to make anything happen against Muse. UK’s best chance for a score was Connor Probert getting the ball to Mikkel Pedersen a minute before halftime. Pedersen, who tried to cut to his right in the box, had his shot saved.

When the second half began, UK looked like they were forming a comeback. They were able to get off two corner kicks and a free kick in the 51st, but the hope was short-lived as Tanner Hummel and Noah Hutchins each missed shots just minutes later.

The 69th minute offered the Cats a free kick and another chance to try and come back. They failed to capitalize on an opportunity yet again as Pedersen had a good look on the shot, but was cleared by IU.

Indiana put a dagger through the hopes of the Cats as they scored on a scrum at the goal mouth in the 73rd minute to put them up 2-0. From that point on until the end of the game, all UK saw was another Pedersen free kick miss in the 81st, and Kevin Barajas mishandling a follow up a minute later.

Now 7-3-2, the Cats can move on from this brutal loss and re-focus their sights on C-USA play. The team will continue their road trip with a match at the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m.