The Torrington High School Lady Blazers battled Scottsbluff down to the final seconds of Tuesday's home game.
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TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School Lady Blazers soccer team played with grit against their cross-border rivals, the Scottsbluff Lady Bearcats, in Torrington’s second home game of the season on Tuesday, April 22.
The final scoreboard ultimately favored Scottsbluff, 5-0, following a run by the Lady Bearcats in the second half. Both the Lady Blazers offense and defense made solid plays throughout the game, though, and Torrington battled through the final minute of regulation.
“Overall, I am proud of how the girls played on Tuesday,” coach Tyler Cram said. “They were aggressive, had better control of the ball and showed better teamwork. We are excited to see how we do against Douglas on Friday.”
A tenacious Lady Blazer defense shut out Scottsbluff for the opening 31 minutes of regulation. Defensive hustle by sophomore Kynzi Thomas, junior Natalie Long, junior Salma Beltran, sophomore Madison Hatch and senior Rachel Gomes kept the pressure on the Lady Bearcats offense. Junior goalie Avary Rising collected four saves.
Scottsbluff broke through at 8:56 in the first half to score.
The Torrington defense closed ranks for the remainder of the first half, deflecting repeated strikes by Scottsbluff. Rising tallied three additional saves and junior Natalie Lira cleared the backfield with two powerful kicks. In the final 30 seconds of the half, Gomes blocked a corner kick by Scottsbluff and Rising dove for a big save.
On offense, the Lady Blazers made several strikes deep into the Lady Bearcats’ territory in the first half with shots on goal by senior Marisol Munoz and junior Kennedi Blevins.
The scoreboard at halftime favored Scottsbluff by one goal, 1-0.
Four goals by the Lady Bearcats in the second half clinched the win for Scottsbluff.
Rising scooped up nine saves in the second half while defensive moves by junior Kirstin Prado kept the goal area clear late in the half.
The Lady Blazers host conference rival Douglas on Friday with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.
