Union-North Tama freshman forward Ellie Pospisil (4) scores her second goal against the Decorah Vikings on Thursday, May 8, in La Porte City. Pospisil recorded a hat trick that evening, leading her team to a shutout victory 8-0 over the winless Vikings. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – The Union-North Tama girls soccer team notched a pair of wins at home last week – including against winless Decorah in an 8-0 shutout – improving to 5-6-3 as the season heads into the final stretch.

Freshman forward Ellie Pospisil led the Knights against the Vikings on Thursday, May 8, by recording a hat trick (three goals). She bookended the match by scoring both the first and final goals, as well as the second. She also had one assist.

Senior Avery Knoop contributed two goals and an assist, and freshman midfielder Adrianna ‘Adie’ Hinebaugh added two off the bench, both in the second half. Sophomore Hinley Mast booted in one of the final goals of the match with roughly six minutes remaining; she also had one assist.

On defense, Knights keeper Addie Pospisil made seven saves.

Following the game, head coach John Simon deemed Hinebaugh his ‘Varsity Player of the Game,’ writing on social media, “Adie does a great job of distributing the ball, making great runs, and putting herself in the best position to receive passes from her teammates and tonight, she put [two] of those in the back of the net!”

Knights freshman forward Adrianna ‘Adie’ Hinebaugh (21) watches as her second of two goals sails past a Decorah defender on May 8 in La Porte City. Hinebaugh came off the bench to score both goals in the second half against the Vikings. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The next evening, the Knights again hosted, defeating Columbus Catholic 5-3 in a conference match-up. Against the Sailors (1-11), Ellie Pospisil again led the team, locking in another hat trick plus an assist, while Knoop and senior Josie Bergmeier added one goal apiece. Ava Monat also recorded an assist. The Knights led 4-1 at the half.

In the net, Addie Pospisil kept the Sailors at bay with six saves.

Coach Simon named Ellie Pospisil his player of the match that evening, writing on social media, “Ellie is one of our speedsters up top and you can guarantee that Ellie will give it her all going after the ball while we are attacking as well as getting back and helping out on defense.”

This week, the Knights were set to take on non-conference Cedar Valley Christian (4-3-2) on Tuesday in a road match before facing conference foe Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2-8-2) in a rescheduled match at home on Thursday. On Friday, the Knights are scheduled to face Aplington-Parkersburg (4-5-1) at home beginning at 5 p.m. in the team’s final regular season appearance.

Next Monday, May 19, Union-North Tama will host Cedar Valley Christian (4-3-2) in a Class 1A Region 5 playoff. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in La Porte City.

Senior forward Avery Knoop, right, is congratulated by her fellow Knights teammate Ellie Pospisil (4) after successfully sinking a goal in the second half of the Thursday, May 8, match with Decorah. Union-North Tama resoundingly defeated 8-0 the Vikings that evening in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

As of this past Monday, the Knights (5-6-3) were on track to record their best season since 2021-22, which they ended 7-7 overall after making it to the second round of regionals.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Sophomore forward Mallory Karr (3) attempts a shot on goal against the Decorah Vikings on May 8 at Union Stadium in La Porte City. Karr recorded one assist during the match. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama keeper Addie Pospisil clears the ball early in the first half against Decorah on Thursday, May 8, at Union Stadium in La Porte City. Pospisil made seven saves against the Vikings. 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