Union-North Tama senior captain Josie Bergmeier executes a pass downfield Monday evening against Cedar Valley Christian. Bergmeier recorded the Knights’ lone goal that evening, helping to defeat the Huskies 1-0 and sending the team on to the second round of regionals. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – They may only have played for roughly 35 minutes, but Union-North Tama girls soccer certainly made those minutes count.

Following multiple weather delays due to lightning which led to more time spent in the high school weight room seeking shelter than actually on the field, the Knights skillfully outmaneuvered 1-0 Cedar Valley Christian (4-6-2) in a first round Class 1A regional game on Monday. After moving the game up from the scheduled 7 p.m. start to just after 5:45 p.m. in a move officials had hoped would avoid the incoming storm system, the Huskies elected to forfeit the game with 5:31 remaining in the first half.

“In those 35 minutes, our girls had 24 shots and 14 shots on goal coming from a half dozen players,” Knights head coach John Simon posted on social media following the game which was called just after 8:30 p.m. “Our defense played lights out and only conceded [two] shots, both were picked up and saved by our keeper, Addie Pospisil. Would have loved to have played a full 80 minutes, but Mother Nature had other plans.”

From kickoff, the weather pummeled the players with brutal, howling winds from the southeast. A downpour then struck roughly 20 minutes into the game. Mere moments after the rain started pelting the field, Knights senior defender/midfielder Josie Bergmeier fired in Union’s lone goal with a free kick from some 35 yards out, marking her second goal of the season.

Against the Huskies, senior forward Avery Knoop recorded four shots on goal, sophomores Mallory Karr and Hinley Mast each notched three, and Bergmeier had two. Senior forward/midfielder Ava Monat and freshman forward Ellie Pospisil added one apiece.

Josie Bergmeier, left, is congratulated by her teammates after scoring a goal off a 35-yard free kick. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama (8-7-3) will next play area rival No. 5 Hudson (15-2) tonight, Wednesday, May 21, in a regional quarterfinal in Hudson. The Knights have twice faced the Pirates this season, dropping both games including on April 14 (1-0) and May 5 (5-0).

“We are going to have to play a full 80 minutes as one team,” Simon told the newspaper on Tuesday ahead of the match. “We have played and put together some good games this year, but I don’t think we have played our best game of the year yet. That will, hopefully, be [against] Hudson.”

Simon added that his team needs to “minimize our mistakes” when going up such a “well coached and disciplined team” in order to capitalize on any possible mistakes the Pirates committ.

One of the main drivers in Hudson’s top-ranking this season is Taylor Davis, a sophomore forward Simon described as “one of the top goal scorers in the state.” As of Wednesday, she had amassed 37 goals and was ranked No. 7 statewide and No. 4 in Class 1A.

“We will need to limit her shots and make them beat us with their other girls,” Simon said before turning more reflective in his comments.

Knights senior Avery Knoop (10) battles for possession of the ball Monday evening against the Huskies’ defense. Knoop had four shots on goal during the match which lasted just under 35 minutes total due to multiple weather delays before being eventually called following Cedar Valley Christian’s decision to forfet. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“[W]e need to have fun and just go out and play soccer. Play to score goals. Be offensive. We can’t play timid and play on our heels. Playing ‘not to lose’ has never been a good strategy.”

No matter the opponent, no matter the weather – which is looking cool and wet – they play to win.

Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Hudson Athletic Complex located on the eastern outskirts of Hudson.

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

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER