Union-North Tama keeper Dena Robb (00) snatches a shot attempt away from Aplington-Parkersburg’s Kiara Morris (23) just outside the goal box last week Friday at Union Stadium. Robb notched 15 saves against the visiting Falcons that evening. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

LA PORTE CITY – The Union-North Tama girls soccer team notched their fourth shutout of the 2023-24 season last week Thursday, tapping out the North Fayette Valley TigerHawks 3-0 at Union Stadium.

In their defeat of the TigerHawks, goals were scored by junior forward Avery Knoop, freshman forward Mallory Karr, and senior midfielder Molly Grote. Assists were notched by Hinley Mast with two and Knoop with one.

Senior keeper Dena Robb continued to cover the goal for the Knights while Dacey Powell is out with a hand injury, making nine saves against North Fayette.

In Robb’s place, freshman Jaren Werner stepped into the center back position. Knights head coach John Simon wrote on Facebook regarding Werner: “Jaren has been a force on defense, not letting the opposing offense have any easy passes or shots on goal. She has great awareness of when to pressure and when to step up, take the ball away and clear the ball up the field to one [of] her teammates.”

The following evening on Friday, Union-North Tama was again at home taking on the visiting Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons. The Knights lost 1-0 courtesy of a penalty kick in double overtime.

Against the Falcons, keeper Robb made a valiant 15 saves. Knights shots-on-goal were recorded by Knoop, Karr, and Mast who all had four apiece, while senior Charlie Keegan had two and freshman Hailey Petersen had one.

Heading into this week, Union-North Tama was 4-6 on the season and faced a string of matches including Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck (3-5) on the road Monday, 1A No. 8 Denver (8-1) at home on Tuesday, and Dike-New Hartford (5-3) again at home on Thursday.