Knights freshman forward Avery Weber (16) is congratulated by teammates Hinley Mast (23) and Aidyn Clark (10) after scoring a goal early in the first half against the visiting Columbus Catholic Sailors Thursday, April 23, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – Despite being cut short due to lightning, the Union-North Tama girls soccer squad sailed to victory here over Columbus Catholic, Thursday, April 23, with a 2-0 shutout of the conference foe.

Strong winds streaming out of the south-southwest swept the ball solidly in the Knights’ favor throughout the first half, helping propel freshman forward Avery Weber’s strike right out of the hands of the Sailors’ keeper and into the net roughly five minutes into game play. With the winds at their back, Union-North Tama notched multiple shots on goal during the first 40 minutes, while the Knights defense, including juniors Scarlette Duclos and Grace Ruzicka, provided solid stops each time Columbus Catholic’s offense did manage to field the ball.

In the second half, the coursing winds were now in the Sailors’ favor, leading to a bit more work for Union-North Tama, particularly for defenders Ruzicka and senior Neeley Hennings who hustled after the wind-propelled ball again and again. But even with the advantage of the wind, Columbus Catholic churned little. After much hustle, Knights junior midfielder Mallory Karr knocked in her team’s second goal of the evening.

Up 2-0, a 30-minute weather delay due to lightning in the area was called with 10 minutes, 8 seconds remaining in the game. Rain began to pick up shortly thereafter. Play did not resume; the Knights lodged their first victory of the season over the winless Sailors (0-6).

Against Columbus Catholic, Union-North Tama totaled 28 shots; junior Hinley Mast had three shots on goal, Duclos and Karr both had two apiece, while sophomore Ellie Pospisil, freshman Finley Keegan, Ruzicka and Weber all fired one toward the net.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Knights senior keeper Addie Pospisil finished with five saves.

Statistics for the Sailors were not available in time for publication.

Two nights prior, Union-North Tama split victory, 1-1, with non-conference Class 1A No. 14 Dike-New Hartford (since unranked) to break a four-game losing streak that also included four postponements due to weather. Junior forward Aidyn Clark scored the single goal against the Wolverines, marking only the Knights’ second goal this season.

This past Saturday morning, April 25, the Knights lost 1-0 to Class 1A No. 12 Aplington-Parkersburg (6-1-1) in an April 14 conference makeup.

The Knights (1-5-1) were set to play on the road against Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck this past Tuesday in an NICL season rematch, before traveling to Class 1A No. 3 Denver Thursday to close out one of the stormiest Aprils for spring sports in recent memory.

Union-North Tama sophomore forward Ellie Pospisil attempts a strike on Columbus Catholic keeper Samantha Houser, Thursday, April 23, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Knights senior defender Neeley Hennings (15) works to steal the ball away from Columbus Catholic’s Natalie Schaefer (2) during the Thursday, April 23 NICL clash at Union Stadium. The Knights shut out the Sailors that evening, 2-0, marking their first victory of the season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama freshman forward Avery Weber (16) winds up an early shot on goal attempt against the visiting Columbus Catholic Sailors, Thursday, April 23. A few plays later, she sent one past the Sailors keeper, marking the first goal of the game. 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