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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team will open Ohio Valley Conference play on Friday night at Jacksonville State.

EKU has run a gauntlet of quality non-conference opponents during the early part of the season, but head coach Melissa Barnes believes the daunting schedule has prepared the Colonels for OVC play.

"We have competed against some of the best teams in the country so far this fall and I feel that each and every test has prepared us for conference play," Barnes said. "Everyone starts conference play at 0-0-0 and it is a matter of who is the most prepared."

Senior Nikki Donnelly also noted that Friday's game represents the beginning of an entirely new season.

"We know we have a clean slate, so now it's all about how we respond to the negativity and how we respond to the losses," Donnelly said. "That's what we've been focusing on lately: how do you respond when things are going wrong? How do you respond when you fail?"

EKU (0-7-1) was 4-4-1 at this point last season; however, the Colonels are positioned much higher in the NCAA RPI rankings now (184) than they were last season (236) due to the strength of their schedule. Seven of EKU's eight opponents so far this season are currently ranked in the top half of the RPI rankings: Indiana (38), Kentucky (39), Xavier (77), West Virginia (83), Western Carolina (119), Evansville (156) and Ohio (164). IU (8-0-1) is currently undefeated and enjoying the best year in program history.

Jacksonville State (4-4-1) presents another tough challenge for the Colonels. Jackie Rush has scored four goals for the Gamecocks this season, while goalkeeper Taylor Hammond and the JSU defense have shut out three of the nine teams they have faced.

However, EKU heads to Jacksonville with history on its side. The Colonels have had more success against the Gamecocks than any other OVC opponent, going 5-0-1 against them since 2007. The last time Jacksonville State defeated EKU, the year was 2006. The EKU soccer program was two years old.

Last season, Donnelly scored the game-winner versus JSU with less than 10 minutes to play in Richmond, handing the Gamecocks, who came into the game on a four-game win streak, their first conference loss of the season.

"The OVC is going to be very competitive this season and our team understands that," Barnes added. "We are looking forward to our first test in the OVC with Jacksonville State."

First touch on Friday is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

Following Friday's game, EKU will play its final non-conference game of the season at Alabama A&M on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.