PELLA — The Central College men's soccer team could never find its grove in a 2-0 loss against the University of Dubuque on Saturday afternoon.
           
The Dutch (10-2-2, 2-1-1 A-R-C) outshot the Spartans (9-3-1, 4-0-0 A-R-C) 12-8 and had more shots on frame (5-4) but the Spartans converted twice and the Dutch couldn't find the back of the net.
           
"The bottom line is we just weren't good enough today," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "Our quality was not there and our intensity was not there early on. What was disappointing is that some of the fundamental stuff was letting us down."
           
Dubuque got its first goal in the 12th minute following a corner kick.
           
"Once you go down a goal, they've got something to fight for and hold on to," Laidlaw said. "We tried our best to change some things around and affect the game."
           
Midfielder Nick Ashton (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) paced the Dutch with three shots, including two on frame.
           
"Nick's had a great year," Laidlaw said. "He does a lot of good things for us in the middle of the park."
           
Goalkeeper Andrew Mathys (senior, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) took just his second loss of the season while making two saves.
           
Central is off until next Saturday when they host Wartburg College for a 3:30 p.m. match at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.
           
"We're sending the team home for a couple days on fall break," Laidlaw said. "We're at that point in the season where we're getting a little nicked up so we need them to rest and get healthy. There is an important stretch run ahead of us because nothing is decided in this league yet."