PELLA — The Central College women's soccer team was even with the University of Dubuque on shot attempts and shots on goal but could not find the back of the net in a 2-0 loss Saturday afternoon.
           
The Dutch (5-2-1) fell to the Spartans (3-0-5) in the American Rivers Conference opener for both squads.
           
"Today was a hard day in that we didn't do enough to win," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "We had a few uncharacteristic things that didn't go our way but that's soccer."
           
Forwards Piper Eighmy (junior, Birmingham, Ala., Briarwood Christian HS) and Olivia DeVos (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) combined for three shots on goal and DeVos had another go off the post.
           
The Dutch travel to Cedar Rapids next Saturday for a 5 p.m. match with Coe College.
           
"We will prepare for Coe with the hopes of being as competitive as we can," Kobylinski said. "We learned some things that hopefully will help us in October."