PELLA — A mostly even match went against the Central College men's soccer team in a 2-0 loss to Viterbo University (Wis.) Saturday afternoon.
           
The V-Hawks (8-0-0) are an NAIA squad that was 25-3-1 over the previous two seasons and loaded with a veteran, international roster. They were given five yellow cards and a red card.
           
"I thought we played quite well against a very good team," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "The red card changed everything. We created two chances we needed to equalize with an indirect free kick and a penalty kick. We did everything we could to get back in the game but those chances did not fall for us."
           
Goalkeeper John Foster (junior, Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) made four saves in the net and the Dutch (1-3-1) defense had a good game overall according to Laidlaw.
           
"Trysten Vasquez (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) was fantastic in the back," he said. "Joe Brown (sophomore, Norwalk) and Spencer Taylor (freshman, Norwalk) were right there with him.   
           
"We played solid defensively except for two moments. The first goal we let somebody dribble through us. The second goal was a mistake by a player who hadn't played much for us yet. Those are the experiences that make us better and grow as individuals."
           
Midfielder Jake Dzarnowski (fifth year, Wheaton, Ill., North HS) had a team high three shot attempts and both he and Nathan Casas (fifth year, Cottage Grove, Minn., East Ridge HS) put a pair of shots on frame.
           
Laidlaw is still optimistic about this year's side.
           
"We're still growing as a team. There are times we have as many as six new players on the field together. It's all part of the growing process for us. We like what we have and where we are going. Every game we are realizing what we need to do at this level."
           
Central travels to Carleton College (Minn.) Wednesday for a 4 p.m. road match.