Mount Airy’s pursuit of a conference championship continued as the team won a trio of matches in the span of four days.
The team is led by six Granite Bear seniors: Aubrey Wilmoth, Lily Morris, Kinlee Reece, Kate Deaton, Laura Livengood and Paola Ramirez. The Class of 2024 members were recognized during an April 30 home match against Alleghany.
“The senior players on this team are not just exemplary athletes, but also outstanding leaders both on and off the field,” said Mount Airy coach Ava Taylor. “I as a coach am so proud of these girls. I have loved being with them for the past 2 years and they will be missed in every way. I am excited to see where their future takes them and thankful that I got to be a small part of their lives.
“Kate, the captain, who is very passionate about soccer is also very dedicated to her team and teammates. She not only leads the team in scoring but also creates an unbreakable bond among the players, creating a unified team that contributes to our success.
“Paola, the team’s other captain, brings her skill and experience to always help younger players. Her knowledge for soccer helps create a positive atmosphere within the team, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported.
“Lily on left wing stands out with her remarkable ability to shoot from great distances. She is also always supporting and cheering for her teammates. Whether on the field or from the sidelines, Lily’s enthusiasm and personality are motivating to all those around her.
“In the defensive line, Aubrey and Kinlee help hold the team with their intelligence and strategic plays. Aubrey’s pre-game prayers help set the tone for the team right before all games. Kinlee’s knowledge and ability to see the whole field helps prevent goals against us.
“Laura, a multi-positional player, brings skill and strength to any position we put her at. Her deep understanding of the game makes her a valuable player who can easily step in whenever and wherever needed.
“Beyond their athletic achievements, these girls are also very impressive in their academics. All of them earning incredible awards for their excellence in the classroom. Their ability to excel both on the field and in their classes is a true example of being a student athlete.”
The Granite Bears’ six seniors have been part of an unprecedented run of success in the program. Mount Airy won its first-ever conference title in 2022 by splitting with Elkin and South Stokes, then took the title outright in 2023.
Mount Airy’s recent three-match winning streak gave the team hope for a 3-peat.
The Bears (12-4-2) played their first of back-to-back-to-back matches on April 29 by hosting South Stokes. Ramirez scored four goals and added one assist in the 7-0 victory. Deaton added two goals, and Laura Livengood scored one. Morris assisted on three of Mount Airy’s goals while Sabrina Brown recorded one assist.
Mount Airy returned to Wallace Shelton Stadium the following day to host Alleghany. Six Granite Bears scored in the 9-0 win, led by a hat trick from Deaton and two goals from Ramirez. Morris, Reece, Livengood and Carrie Marion each added one goal.
Five Bears recorded an assist against the Trojans: Wilmoth, Marion, Reece, Deaton and Carley Hill.
After one day of rest, Mount Airy went on the road to defeat East Wilkes 9-0. Deaton scored more than half of the team’s goals with five, Ramirez added three and Livengood scored one.
Mount Airy and Elkin (15-4-1) are tied for the Northwest 1A Conference’s top spot with one loss each. Mount Airy is 10-1 with only a game at South Stokes (6-8-1) remaining. Elkin is 9-1 in the conference and will wrap up league play with home matches against Starmount (10-4-1) and East Wilkes (5-7-3).
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