Union/North Tama’s Avery Knoop (10) battles it out for a shot on goal against Cedar Rapids Jefferson keeper Madison Mercil last Thursday in La Porte City. Knoop scored twice with six shots on goal during the Knights loss 6-3 to the J-Hawks. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The Union/North Tama girls soccer team scored their second shutout of the season with a win 3-0 over the Benton Community Bobcats on April 11 as part of a series of home games that took place across a four day stretch in La Porte City.

The resounding win over the Bobcats followed the team’s tough loss 7-0 to No. 4 Waverly-Shell Rock the evening prior.

Against Benton, goals were notched by freshman Emily Anton, sophomore Ava Monat, and junior Charlie Keegan. Sophomore Avery Knoop had four shots on goal, junior Molly Grote had two, and freshman Lila Laws had one. Assists came courtesy of Grote with two.

The team’s defense was led by keeper Dacey Powell who logged another stellar performance with 24 saves.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Union/North Tama forward Avery Knoop (10) heads toward landing one of her two goals in the J-Hawk’s net on April 13 in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The Knights sandwiched the Bobcat win with another tough loss on Thursday, April 13, falling to Cedar Rapids Jefferson 6-3.

Much of the defeat is owed to the ghastly southern winds that evening which blew balls back across the field with a vengeance.

While the team began the game in a bit of a fog – illustrated by their coaches’ repeated pleas to “wake up!” – there were several moments in the first half when the team roared to life against the J-Hawks allowing for two goals by Knoop (six shots on goal) and one from Anton (two shots on goal). Junior Molly Clark provided an assist with two more courtesy of Grote.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the first half, Knoop’s second goal tied up the score 3-3, but the J-Hawks closed out the half — and used the wind advantage — impressively with a goal just over the five minute mark, followed by another with about 90 seconds left on the clock.

The J-Hawks sixth and final goal came about following Union’s kickoff — a Jefferson boot bolstered by the wind from practically midfield that bounced hard in front of keeper Powell before passing high over her head into the goal.

PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Powell notched 17 saves that evening against Jefferson.

The score remained 6-3 through the second half putting Union/North Tama at 2-3 on the season.

The team was set to face Class 1A third ranked Dike-New Hartford in what is sure to be a grueling road game Monday night (April 17), followed by a home matchup against Class 1A No. 13 Hudson on Thursday — kickoff at 5 p.m.

Ball boy Auggie Monat – whose big sister Ava Kay Monat plays for Union/North Tama – enjoys a brief respite and a snack from his duties last Thursday in La Porte City at Union Stadium. His brother Asher Monat (off frame) also assisted in chasing down balls amidst the howling south winds. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON