NEWCASTLE – The Torrington High School Blazers battled cold temperatures, a relentless wind and a tough opponent during its away game against the Newcastle Dogies on Friday, April 19.

The first half found the conference opponents locked in a 1-1 tie. A determined Blazer offense netted two goals in the second half while a gritty Torrington defense shut out Newcastle from scoring and the Blazers prevailed, 3-1.

During the week, Blazers sophomore Anthony Arnusch snagged the WyoPreps Athlete of the Week Award for his offensive contributions in Torrington’s epic wins against top-ranked Worland and Buffalo. Arnusch scored two goals for the Blazers during regulation against Worland and converted a penalty kick in the overtime shootout.

Torrington set the momentum in the opening minute of regulation against Newcastle with a successful attack into Dogie territory resulting in a goal. Junior Elijah Hatch passed the ball to senior Leo Belli outside Newcastle’s penalty box and Belli kicked the ball past the Dogies’ goalie to score.

Newcastle responded with a goal midway into the first half and the game reached a 1-1 deadlock. Hatch, Arnusch and juniors Skyler Thomas and Nounou Braddy maintained the pressure offensively before halftime with shots on goal.

Senior Greysen Shields, junior Carter Blevins, junior Kaiden Riggs and sophomore Jace Schlagel kept Torrington’s side of the field clear with defensive plays. The few times Newcastle approached the Blazer’s goal area in the first half, junior Ayden Shimic made three saves as goalie.

Hatch shattered the stalemate with a goal early in the second half. Thomas tallied six shots on goal, with the sixth kick speeding past Newcastle’s goalie for Torrington’s third point. Arnusch made the assist.

Hatch, Belli and senior Adam Bartlett also made shots on goal over the course of the second half, including a header by Bartlett.

Defensive hustle by sophomore Beaux Shimic, junior Nataniel Stull, Riggs, Shields and Blevins cleared the ball from Blazer territory multiple times. Ayden Shimic made three saves in the second half.