Jeff Linville/The News

Mount Airy keeper Morgan Hawks held the Blackhawks to one goal with nine saves Thursday.

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MILLERS CREEK — The Lady Bears shut down West Wilkes’ offense for a 2-1 soccer win Thursday night.

About midway through the first half, the game was still scoreless. Then the Lady Blackhawks earned a corner kick and converted to take the lead.

The Bears answered with not one, but two goals to take the lead themselves.

Micaela Tumbarello made a goal off an assist from Lindsay Castevens. Then Castevens scored off a pass from Vanessa Armenta.

Between strong back-line play and nine saves from keeper Morgan Hawks, Mount Airy stopped West Wilkes cold to maintain that one-shot lead to the finish.

Much of the second half was battling back and forth in the middle of the field, noted Coach Will Hurley. The Blackhawks only had about four shots in the second half.

He praised defenders Summer Hamilton, Hannah Hall, Symone Simmons, Marisa Petri and Anna Kriska for their hard work.

There was one play by Symone that was just amazing, Hurley said. Hawks had come out from the goal to challenge a shooter.

The girl managed to get around Hawks and blasted a shot toward the goal that would have tied the game. However, Simmons seemed to come out of nowhere to block the ball with her legs, he described.

Simmons and Hamilton have just come out of basketball season, while Petri and Kriska run cross country and track, the coach noted. They all have great athleticism and endurance which were needed in this physical game, he said.

On the offensive side, however, the Bears have some improvements to make. He said the team is still off just a little with passes and shots. Mount Airy had 12 shots on goal, and three or four of them bounced off the cross bar.

If those shots were just dialed in a little, then the team would have had some breathing room on the scoreboard, he said.

On Tuesday, the Bears have their first conference match with Surry Central at home.