Union-North Tama junior defender Neeley Hennings (15) clears the ball on Wednesday, May 21, during the Knights 1A second round regional with the Hudson Pirates. Also pictured, Hudson phenom Taylor Davis (3) and Knights sophomore defender Scarlette Duclos (30). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

HUDSON – Two days after their 1-0 defeat of Cedar Valley Christian in the first round of the postseason, Union-North Tama soccer took on fifth-ranked Hudson (15-2) in a Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal hosted by the Pirates on Wednesday, May 21.

The two programs faced off twice previously during the regular season with Hudson winning 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 said that Tuesday ahead of the match before adding that his team needed to “minimize our mistakes” when going up such a “well coached and disciplined team.”

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

Davis’s run continued against the Knights as she racked up five goals that evening, helping seal Hudson’s 10-0 shutout of Union-North Tama which ended by mercy rule in the second half with roughly eight minutes remaining in the game.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“The girls had a terrific season,” Simon said following the match. “Always hate losing like that to finish the year but Hudson is an outstanding team. They have 16 shutout victories and their only losses (this season) are to No. 1 Denver.”

Union-North Tama wraps up the 2024-25 season 8-8-3 (3-6-2) and fifth in the conference – marking one of the program’s best since 2019 when they finished 14-4 after advancing to the 1A state quarterfinals with regional wins over Benton, Vinton-Shellsburg, and Columbus Catholic.

Simon will be replacing three high-performing senior starters next season including Bergmeier: “Josie has been our starting defensive-back for the past three years. She has grown so much [over those years] as a player on the field.”; Knoop: “Avery has been a leader for us on the game field and practice field. You can always count on her giving 100% effort. She has led the team in goals the last three years, as well as led the team in assists the last two years.”; and Monat: “Ava has been a starter for us the last three years at midfield and has been a constant, reliable player in her position. She’s one of our quieter players, but her actions speak loudly. She has the highest passing efficiency on the team.”

The team is also losing seniors Cameron Hickok and Erica Hoppe. While Hickok has battled injury her entire high school career, Hoppe had not played soccer since middle school.

“Having [Cameron] be able to play in our JV games was really nice to see,” Simon said before adding of Hoppe, “She did great for our defense during JV games.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

While replacing a trio of starters with significant experience is never an easy task for any coach, the Knights are well-positioned to continue the program’s upward trajectory.

“Some underclassmen will have to step up and step into those roles and we have those girls on our team that are capable of doing so.”

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