Union-North Tama sophomore forward Adrianna Hinebaugh (2) powers her way past Clayton Ridge defender Layni Mueller (32) during a Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match played Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – After receiving a bye in the postseason opening round, the Union-North Tama girls soccer team shut out Clayton Ridge, 5-0, in a Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match here on Thursday, May 28, in a dominant offensive performance that saw the Knights average roughly one shot every minute and a half and force 17 saves by the Eagles’ keeper.

The Knights scored four goals in the first half, beginning with a pair of goals by sophomore forward Ellie Pospisil seven and 10 minutes into play.

Roughly six minutes later, junior forward Hinley Mast knocked in the third goal from inside the penalty area on an assist. Mast scored again three minutes after that, again from inside the big box with an assist.

In the second half, Pospisil scored once more for good measure just before the 30-minute mark.

Union-North Tama coaching staff deemed Mast their “player of the match” following the game, writing on social media, “Hinley transitioned from a midfield position this year to a forward and has given us an additional threat on the outside.”

Knights junior forward Hinley Mast, right, strikes the ball toward the net while battling against Eagles defender Lydia Pierce (13) during a Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match played Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. Mast scored two of the Knights’ five goals that evening. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Against the Eagles, Pospisil led the Knights with eight shots and four shots on goal, including her three strikes that found the back of the net. Sophomore Adrianna Hinebaugh had five shots on goal, Mast had three and junior Grace Ruzicka notched a pair.

Assists were recorded by junior Mallory Karr (2), Mast (1) and junior Scarlette Duclos (1).

Knights senior keeper Addie Pospisil – recently named the NICL Player of the Year – recorded three saves. Her understudy, freshman keeper Madi Sparks played roughly the final quarter of the game, during which she made two saves.

Statistics were not available for Clayton Ridge (6-7) as of press time.

This past Tuesday, June 2, Union-North Tama (6-9-2) fell to No. 7 Aplington-Parkersburg (13-2-2) in a Class 1A Region 8 semifinal at the middle school in Aplington. The two programs faced each other twice in the regular season this spring, with the Falcons shutting out the Knights both times as well.

Junior Grace Ruzicka sends a shot toward the net against Clayton Ridge in the second half of the Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal game played in La Porte City on Thursday, May 28. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Junior Scarlette Duclos (30) shouts instructions to her fellow Knights during the Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match against Clayton Ridge, Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union-North Tama junior defender Jaren Werner (5) megs Clayton Ridge midfielder Sophia Chmeler (26) during a Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match played Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Knights sophomore forward Ellie Pospisil, center, is congratulated by her teammates after scoring the opening goal against Clayton Ridge during a Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match played Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. Pospisil scored three of the Knights’ five goals that evening. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Freshman forward Olivia Schildroth (24) fights to keep the ball away from Clayton Ridge defender Madilyn Thomas on Thursday, May 28, in La Porte City. 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