LA PORTE CITY – Both the Union North Tama boys and girls soccer teams have had strong seasons this year.
The girls team went 7-11 overall and advanced to the postseason semifinals, but lost 3-0 to No. 4 Denver in their final game on Wednesday, May 22, after the date was rescheduled due to severe weather that hit the state the night before.
Several seniors graduated on May 19, including Charlie Keegan, Molly Clark, Molly Grote, Adeline Sienknecht, Daicy Powell and Dena Robb. However, the Knights have a number of players returning next year and plenty of talent on the roster, including rising senior Avery Knoop, who led the Knights in total points (10) and assists (6). Rising sophomores Hinley Mast and Mallory Carr were second and third on the team in scoring and should both return next season.
The Knights will need to find replacements for veteran goalies Dacey Powell and Dena Robb.
Union’s junior boys team, in just its second year as a program, continued to show strong growth, finishing the season with a record of 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 tie. Seniors Brock Ruzicka, Blake Taylor, Alexander Dickerson, Mason Herman and Austin Martin will be missed.
Next season, the boys team will return several young, experienced players, including junior Hunter Vlast-Kahn, who led the team in total points. He will be joined by senior Kengo Uchiyama-Hansen, juniors Grant Severtsgaard and Brandon Flasch, and other Knights ready to move the young program forward.
Thank you to all the players, parents and coaches who supported our amazing student-athletes throughout the season.