Union-North Tama freshman Mallory Karr (21) maneuvers her way past a Vikette defender moments before scoring the first goal of her high school varsity career and the first goal of the season for the Knights. Union-North Tama’s Ava Monat (back left) is also pictured. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

VINTON – The Union-North Tama girls’ soccer team kicked off the 2023-24 season on the road Monday night by dropping a non-conference match-up 3-1 to Vinton-Shellsburg amid blustery conditions at Karr Athletic Complex.

Roughly six-and-a-half minutes in and with the wind at their backs, the Vikettes scored the first goal of the game before adding a second goal some 20 minutes later.

Throughout the first half, the Knights seemed a bit rusty and slightly timid but they managed to turn it up in time for the second half.

With 12 minutes down, Union-North Tama freshman Mallory Karr took possession of the ball from the Vikettes deep in their own territory. After dribbling down the center, she fired a hard shot right between keeper Ashlyn Murray’s legs who ultimately couldn’t trap it, and the ball rolled in behind her. Karr’s goal was not only the first of the 2023-24 season for the Knights but also the first of her high school career.

Some two minutes later the Vikettes answered back, scoring their third and final goal of the evening. The Vikings would go on to beat the Knights 3-1.

Union-North Tama freshman Grace Ruzicka (25) skillfully moves the ball toward the Vinton-Shellsburg goal Monday evening in Vinton. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The girls were scheduled to face Cedar Valley Christian in their home opener tonight (Tuesday, March 26) at Union Stadium but the game was postponed to a later date due to weather. Next up the team will hit the road for a pair of games including Dike-New Hartford on Thursday and Denver on Easter Monday/April Fools’ Day. The Telegraph will feature coverage from those games in next week’s print edition.

Senior Molly Grote pictured executing a corner kick for Union-North Tama during this past Monday’s season-opener played against the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes at Karr Athletic Complex in Vinton. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama keeper Dacey Powell scoops up an attempted goal by Vinton-Shellsburg’s offense this past Monday at Karr Athletic Complex in Vinton. Last season as a junior Powell was No. 1 in the state for number of saves with 313. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama junior Ava Monat (2) pictured during the Knights' season opener in Vinton. Monat is one of 10 returning starters this season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER