9/02/2024 Pella, Iowa- In a tough battle on Monday afternoon, Westminster's men's soccer team faced Central College (Iowa) and suffered a 2-0 defeat. The Blue Jays struggled to capitalize on their chances and fell short against a well-organized Central squad.

Central took control early in the game with a goal from Spencer Taylor at the 7:40 mark. Moments later, in the 9th minute, Joe Brown added to Central's lead with a second goal, further increasing the challenge for the Blue Jays.

Despite the early setback, Westminster showcased determination and resilience throughout the match. The Blue Jays' offense was led by senior, Ethan Pfaff and freshman, Christian Mahoro, who each had multiple attempts on goal. Pfaff's efforts included a shot on target that was well-saved by Central keeper Ronan Murphy. Mahoro also had two shots, both of which were on goal, but Central's defense stood firm.

Westminster's defense worked hard to stop Central's offensive plays. The Blue Jays goalkeeper, Hunter Deeken, had a commendable performance, making four crucial saves to try to keep his team in the game.

The second half saw Westminster increase their attacking efforts, with a noticeable improvement in their offensive play. The Blue Jays generated several promising opportunities, including a shot from Adam Luetkemeyer and another from Tigran Topchain. However, the Dutch defense remained unwavering, and their goalkeeper Ronan Murphy made key saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Despite a strong push by Westminster, they were unable to breach Central's defense. The Blue Jays managed to earn three corner kicks and continued to press forward, but the final whistle blew with the score remaining 2-0 in favor of Central (Iowa).

The Blue Jays return home Thursday, September 5th at 5:00pm to face off against Illinois College as they continue to look for their first win of the season