The Knights and Go-Hawks pose for a group photo ahead of Monday night's game in honor of Officials Appreciation Week. PHOTO COURTESY JOHN SIMON/FACEBOOK

Fresh off a weekend of playing the Easter bunny by ‘egging’ local community members’ yards with brightly colored eggs for Sunday morning hunts, the Union/North Tama girls soccer team faced some of their fiercest competition of the season Monday evening – the current Class 2A No. 4 team and last season’s state runner-up, Waverly-Shell Rock. While the Knights certainly put up a fight defensively, ultimately the Go-Hawks’ tight, quick offense proved too much – Union/North Tama lost 7-0.

Led by keeper Dacey Powell, the Knights defense managed to hold the Go-Hawks to just two goals in the first half with Powell making at least six saves, one of them with practically her face as she dove to prevent a hard shot in the far bottom corner of the net.

Several times over the course of the first half, the Union/North Tama coaches could be overheard telling their team to “calm down” – “you’re doing fine” – “just play soccer” as the Go-Hawks offense worked its magic again and again at the Knights’ net. The ball spent very little time in Go-Hawks territory – Union/North Tama had just one shot on goal the entire first half with Avery Knoop making the attempt.

In the second half, the game simply got away from the Knights with Waverly-Shell Rock adding five more goals to its total and giving the Go-Hawks their second win of the season.

Prior to Monday’s loss, the Knights dropped 6-0 to Dubuque Hempstead (Catholic) on April 6 in a grueling road game. Union/North Tama logged seven shots on goal against the Mustangs – four from sophomore Knoop and one apiece from freshman Emily Anton, junior Reagan Sorensen, and junior Molly Grote – while keeper Powell, a junior this year, made an astounding 22 saves in a valiant attempt to keep the Knights in the game.

Union/North Tama keeper Dacey Powell smiles with relief and satisfaction after stopping a hard Go-Hawks’ attempt on the goal about halfway through the first half of Monday night’s home game in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Following Monday night’s game, Union/North Tama – now 1-2 on the season – was scheduled to face Benton Community at home on Tuesday and then Cedar Rapids Jefferson on April 13 also at home.

The following Monday, April 17, the Knights were set to travel to Dike-New Hartford Jr. High Simons Field in New Hartford to play the Class 1A third ranked Wolverines.

Union/North Tama's Ava Monat (2) skirmishes with a Go-Hawks defender as she takes the ball down field during the Monday match-up in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The Union/North Tama defense lines up at the goal for a corner kick by the Go-Hawks during Monday night's game. The Knights were down to only two subs during the game due to injuries and sickness. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Knights keeper Dacey Powell kicks the ball well into Go-Hawks territory while teammate Reagan Sorensen (left) looks on. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON