TORRINGTON – A heated battle between the Torrington High School Blazers and the Scottsbluff Bearcats came down to the wire during the home game on Tuesday with the Blazers edging out Scottsbluff, 2-1.

Midway into the first half, Scottsbluff broke through Torrington’s defenses to score.

The Blazer defense closed ranks and prevented the Bearcats from scoring again in the first half.

Defensive hustle by juniors Kaiden Riggs and Carter Blevins kept Torrington’s goal area clear, including a header in the Blazers’ goal area by Blevins. Junior goalie Ayden Shimic stepped up and made four saves before halftime. 

Offensively, Torrington attacked the Bearcats multiple times in the first half. Junior Elijah Hatch and sophomore Anthony Arnusch each maintained the pressure with a shot on goal.

Torrington came up short in scoring during the first 40 minutes of regulation, however, and Scottsbluff controlled the scoreboard, 1-0, at halftime.

The Blazer offense attacked Scottsbluff early in the second half. Arnusch scored for Torrington on a penalty kick, tying the game, 1-1.

A solid Blazer defense shut out the Scottsbluff offense with defensive hustle by Riggs, Blevins, junior Nataniel Stull and sophomore Beaux Shimic. Ayden Shimic tallied four more saves.

The Torrington offense continued to strike into Bearcat territory. Junior Skyler Thomas made two shots on goal while Hatch contributed one.

The deadlock on the scoreboard remained until late in the second half when Arnusch netted his second goal on a penalty kick.

Scottsbluff attempted to score in the final three minutes of regulation to tie the game but met stiff resistance from the Blazers. Hatch deflected a powerful kick by the Bearcats and Ayden Shimic made a save.

Ayden Shimic totaled nine saves over the course of the home game.

The Blazers traveled to play Newcastle on Thursday. Results from the game were not available at press time.