Union-North Tama sophomore Neeley Hennings (15) works to stop Hudson's Taylor Davis (3) early in the game on Monday, April 29, in La Porte City. The Knights were on defense for much of the game against the top-ranked Pirates. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama girls soccer entered their final week of regular season play this past Monday after logging a string of matches last week that included falling to 1A No. 8 Hudson on Monday in their final game at home and shutting out Decorah 3-0 on the road Tuesday, before dropping a road match 4-0 to Columbus Catholic on Friday.

Against the fierce and wicked-fast Pirates on Monday, the Knights’ defense was put through the wringer with keeper Dena Robb making a colossal 27 saves. Of the 11 games Hudson has won this season (as of May 6), more than half of those games were decided by five points or more – a statistic avoided by the Knights thanks to its hard working defensive line. Union-North Tama head coach John Simon told the newspaper the defense has been key to maintaining a competitive edge this season.

“Defense performed really well against Hudson and Dena had one of her best games as keeper. But when their offense has the ball 70% of the time, it takes a toll on our back line to try and play a perfect game. And that’s what you need when you play Hudson – to play flawlessly. We made some mistakes and they capitalized. Our midfield and offense need to do a better job of keeping possession of the ball and moving us into a scoring position. We play better when we are on the offensive trying to score, instead of trying to not allow the other team to score.”

The next evening at Decorah, the Knights offense was back in the saddle in their win over the Vikings. Goals were scored by freshman Hinley Mast, and juniors Avery Knoop and Josie Bergmeier who Coach Simon said made an excellent run up field to put the ball in the back of the net from 30 yards out for the first goal of her high school career.

Also against the Vikings, Robb made eight saves. A few nights later in Waterloo during Union-North Tama’s loss 4-0 to the Sailors, Robb notched an even dozen saves. Robb, a senior, has had the best season of her high school career since starter Dacey Powell went out with a hand injury early in the season.

Union-North Tama senior keeper Dena Robb stops a hard shot at close range from Hudson’s Savannah Schneider (4) last Monday (May 6) at Union Stadium in La Porte City. Robb made 27 saves during the game, preventing what could have been a much higher points deficit in the Knights loss 4-0 to the No. 8 visiting Pirates. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Dacey injured her hand, so she is out of the keeper position,” Coach Simon said. “There is a chance she can come back on the field once her hand is healed. Maybe the last game of the year.”

Simon said he has kept Powell on the bench due to the fear she could land hard on her injured hand doing even more damage than has already been done.

Heading into this week, Robb had one of the best save rates in Class 1A at 88% and was No. 5 for number of saves with 169 while also occupying the seventh spot overall across all classes.

While the Knights first regional game had not been set in time for publication, Class 1A regional games are scheduled to take place May 13, May 15, May 21, and May 23.

Ahead of Union-North Tama’s final regular season game with Aplington-Parkersburg on Monday, May 6, the Knights were 6-10 (2-7) on the season after ending last season 4-11 overall.

Union-North Tama junior midfielder Ava Monat (2) wards off the Pirates offense deep in Knights territory during the second half of the April 29 game played at Union Stadium in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Knights freshman Grace Ruzicka (25) battles for the ball against the No. 8 Hudson Pirates on Monday, April 29, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER