Union-North Tama freshman forward Ellie Pospisil (4) attempts a goal in the second half of last Friday’s home match against Cedar Rapids Jefferson at Union Stadium in La Porte City. Pospisil notched an assist and four shots-on-goal during the Knights’ shutout victory over the 3A J-Hawks. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – Union-North Tama girls soccer continues to roll along this season, notching a 3-0 shutout over 3A Cedar Rapids Jefferson last Friday evening after almost defeating Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck (GC/G-R) the night before in what ended as a 2-2 draw.

“Friday’s game was a good win for us after the tied game [versus] GC/G-R,” Knights head coach John Simon said in a text-based interview Sunday evening. “We were the better team [versus] GC/G-R for 75 minutes, and they capitalized the last five minutes to tie it up. As for [Jefferson], they have beaten us the last two years, so getting the shutout victory was a good way to end the week.”

Heading into this week and a Monday match with No. 10 Hudson, Union-North Tama was 2-2-1 on the season with their losses thus far at the feet of two ranked programs, top-ranked Denver and No. 8 Dike-New Hartford.

“The girls have played well for the first part of the season,” Simon continued. “We lost to Vinton-Shellsburg last year 3-1, so being able to beat them this year (1-0) was a great way to start the season. Denver and DNH are some of the top teams in 1A, but the girls played hard [against] them. We made some mistakes that they capitalized on, but that’s what top teams do.”

Against the J-Hawks on April 11, senior forward Avery Knoop led the Knights charge, recording a hat trick with two goals early in the first half and the third with just under seven minutes remaining in the second. Knoop was assisted twice by freshman Ellie Pospisil and once by sophomore Hinley Mast. Mast suffered a head injury early in the second half but, after going through concussion protocol, was cleared to play the final 15 minutes.

Knights senior forward Avery Knoop, left, passes the ball around Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Noel Morris (5) last Friday in La Porte City. Knoop recorded a hat trick against the J-Hawks, propelling the Knights to their 3-0 shutout of the 3A team. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

For her part, Ellie Pospisil was on fire against Jefferson, managing four shots-on-goal – most hard drives right up to the net. Her older sister, junior keeper Addie Pospisil, also notched a noteworthy night on the field, racking up 10 saves in her rookie season in the net.

“Addie is doing very well being our starting varsity goalie. This is her first year playing/practicing as goalie. She played a little in middle school, but she had been our starting varsity defender the last two years so she has transitioned really nicely,” Simon said. “She has a natural ability and reflexes for the goalie position, which obviously helps, but the main thing is she is extremely coachable and always asking how she can be better and improve. We’re very lucky she stepped up and took this on. Being a goalie is not an easy position to get thrown into.”

After facing Hudson (4-1) at home tonight (Monday, April 14), the Knights are scheduled to face winless Columbus Catholic (0-3) on the road Tuesday at T.J. McLaughlin Field in Waterloo.

The girls will not play at Union Stadium again until Monday, April 28, for Round 2 with GC/G-R.

Union-North Tama keeper, junior Addie Pospisil, successfully fields a goal attempt by Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Friday, April 11, at Union Stadium. Pospisil notched 10 saves during 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

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER