'Stangs come away with a thriller
Elise Bialecki, Charlie Beck spur team victory, a 14-13 nail-biter over Denver East; Mullen earns 2nd win.
It was, Mullen head coach Melynda Brown said, “nail-biting … and it didn’t have to be.”
But it was and the Mustangs will gladly take it, thank you – they held off Denver East 14-13 on Wednesday night at Brother Bernard Kinneavy Field at De La Salle Stadium.
With the victory, they are 2-4 overall, 1-3 in the Class 5A East League. Denver East is 1-3, 1-2.
The Mustangs trailed twice in the second half, but rallied twice, the second time with Elise Bialecki and Charlie Beck leading the way, scoring and assisting.
“It did get hairy,” said Bialecki, who will play for the Pitt Panthers. “I think it was really a team effort.”
Mullen took the lead for good at 12-11 and increased it to 14-11 with 6:06 to play before the Angels made it interesting, particularly when getting their final goal with 44 seconds remaining.
But Mullen held on and displayed enough character and defense.
“It was awesome,” Bialecki said. “It was great to see the team step up.”
Bialecki and Beck each scored five times. Molly Gilbert had two, and J.J. Johnson and Haley Vanek one each.
In goal, keeper Lauren Krager turned in 12 saves.
Bialecki also credited Vanek for her draw prowess and said the Mustangs defense was thee when needed.
Said Brown: “So at the end of the day, we played awesome. We played as a team. We had some lulls that were not amazing. But we fought and came back and got a big-time win.”
Mullen’s ambitious schedule, dotted with high-end powers, will resume on Friday, when it hosts No. 3 Valor Christian, 6 p.m., in nonleague.
MULLEN 14, DENVER EAST 13
Denver East 5 8 -- 13
Mullen 7 7 -- 14
Mullen goals – Charlie Beck 5, Elise Bialecki 5, Molly Gilbert 2, J.J. Johnson, Haley Vanek.
Mullen assists – Elise Bialecki 2, Charlie Beck, Brenna Langfield, Haley Vanek.
Mullen saves – Lauren Krager 12.
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