The Torrington Blazers captured two more conference wins to remain undefeated in 3A.
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TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School Blazers soccer team remains at the top of the 3A East following back-to-back victories against conference rivals Rawlins and Worland.
In both cases, the Blazers once again stepped up when it mattered to defeat their conference rivals in overtime shootouts.
On Friday, May 2, the Blazers battled Rawlins to a 2-2 stalemate on the road. Torrington went on to win the overtime shootout, 5-3.
Torrington hosted Worland on Saturday and fought to a 1-1 stalemate when the final buzzer sounded. The Blazers came together to win the overtime shootout.
In each game, senior goalie Ayden Shimic clinched the victory with a final save in the shootouts against both Rawlins and Worland.
“One of our biggest strengths sits with our goalkeeper position,” coach Jeshua Arnusch said. “Ayden did a great job protecting the box and securing the high balls. I can’t say enough about the goalkeeper he has become, especially in penalty kicks. He is long and athletic and is getting very good at reading his opponents. Ayden has taken thousands of reps since he was little and started in Matrix soccer in Goshen County.”
Torrington continues to sit in the No. 1 position in 3A East with an undefeated 6-0 conference record and 7-3 overall record.
Rawlins
The Outlaws struck first with a goal at 29 minutes. Torrington responded less than two minutes later when junior Anthony Arnusch stole the ball from a Rawlins defender and kicked in a goal.
Rawlins rallied at 24 minutes to score a second goal and take the lead, 2-1, at halftime.
Only moments into the second half, senior Elijah Hatch scored for Torrington, assisted by Arnusch, to deadlock the game, 2-2.
The game went into an overtime shootout. Hatch, senior Skyler Thomas, senior Carter Blevins, sophomore Braxton Carlson and junior Beaux Shimic each scored penalty kicks while Ayden Shimic made several crucial saves.
Worland
A tenacious Torrington defense shut out Worland for the opening 39 minutes of regulation, with Blevins, junior Jace Schlagel and senior Kaiden Riggs keeping the backfield clear.
“I was happy with how the boys stayed organized defensively during the game,” coach Arnusch remarked. “I thought Carter and Jace did a great job of keeping the line high and not getting beat in one-on-one situations. They also did a fantastic job of playing the ball in the air.”
In the second half, Thomas joined the backfield as a key component of the Blazers defense.
“A big shoutout to Skyler,” Arnusch added. “He had to go back to defense and played great. In the last two games, we have had to make adjustments and he is the ultimate chess piece. He moves where we need him and does a great job of using his skills. He’s a jack of all trades.”
Worland scored its only goal on a penalty kick with only 40 seconds remaining in the first half to lead, 1-0, at halftime.
Arnusch fired back at the beginning of the second half. Finding the goal area wide open, Arnusch charged in to score a goal and tie the game, 1-1.
“I was impressed with Ant being able to turn and drive on his defenders,” coach Arnusch said. “If he can keep working on his left foot, it’s going to be huge for us at state.”
The 1-1 stalemate continued through the final buzzer.
Digging deep in the overtime shootout, the Blazers tallied five penalty kicks by Hatch, Beaux Shimic, Thomas, Blevins and Carlson. Ayden Shimic stepped up to defend the goal with four saves, diving for the final save to seal the victory for Torrington.
