RAWLINS – For the first time since the 2016 season, the Torrington High School girls’ soccer team qualified for the Class 3A State Soccer Tournament following a 4-3 win over the Rawlins Lady Outlaws on Friday.

“We are very pleased the seniors are going to have a chance to play in the state tournament,” THS coach Dave Cummings said. “They’ve gone from some very tough years, including the lost season last year, to playing at state. It is a good thing for them and great for the younger players who are going to gain some experience and understanding of what soccer is all about.”

As for the match, Rawlins struck first, but senior Kameron Stitt took over the match.

Stitt ended the game with a hat trick, scoring three goals.

“It was a hard-fought match. Rawlins came to play,” Cummings said. “It was Senior Night for them and they did not want to see their girls finish their recognition day with a loss. They were a very much improved team from the first time we played them.”

Two of Stitt’s goals were unassisted, and junior Grace Steinbock had the fourth goal to go along with an assist.

On the defensive side of the field, senior goalkeeper Jenessa Derby saved the match from going into overtime with a diving save.

“She had a fantastic match. She took a hard shot fairly early on but was able to stay in the game and took her game to another level,” Derby said. “She had a diving deflection that kept the ball out and preserved the lead.”

The win locked up the No. 4 seed at this weekend’s state tournament in Cheyenne. The Lady Blazers will open the tournament with the No. 1 seed from the West Conference, the Cody Lady Broncs.

“They are salty up and down the lineup. They have a fantastic defense. They have a possible all-state keeper, and they are going to be a very tough challenge for us,” Cummings said. “We are going to do what we can this week. Our girls have grown a bunch and are in a good position moving forward.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Cheyenne South High School.