DUBUQUE — Missing a trio of its opening-day starters, the Central College men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 match Saturday at the University of Dubuque.
           
The Dutch (1-2-1, 1-2-1 American Rivers Conference) played Saturday without starting midfielders Zach Worster (freshman, Saint Peters, Mo, Saint Dominic HS) and Jake Dzarnowski (junior, Wheaton, Ill., North HS) and left back Joel Collett (senior, Walford, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) against the Spartans (3-1-1, 3-1-1 conference).
           
"Were in a situation where we're giving time to a lot of different players," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "I think it will serve them well down the road with the opportunities they are getting now.
           
"We're just happy to be playing soccer this spring but we've still got to get better in certain areas."
           
Laidlaw was pleased with his team's first 45 minutes.
           
"We played one of our best first halves of the season," he said. "We've been struggling out of the gate. I thought we played some good stuff. Brant Mueller (junior, defender, Bettendorf) had a header hit the bar off a cross and Dustin Harris (junior, forward, Bettendorf) had a shot stopped off the line by one of their defenders."
           
Harris had both of Central's shots on goals.
           
"I thought it was his best game for us so far," Laidlaw said.

Laidlaw also cited the performance of Michael Handel (sophomore, Libertyville, Ill., Carmel Catholic HS) and Gabe Wilson (freshman, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS).
           
"Michael was excellent today," he said. "Gabe continues to be a strong performer for us as a freshman."
           
Goalkeeper John Foster (Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) made nine saves.
         
Central hosts Nebraska Wesleyan University Tuesday at 1 p.m.