Littleton – The Cherry Creek Bruins were so good Saturday night, even their mistakes turned into goals. The Bruins ran riot over a depleted Mullen, scoring with luck and lasers in a 6-1 victory to win the 14th annual Warrior Kickoff Classic at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
Against the Mustangs’ backup goalies, the Bruins (4-1), ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, scored two goals inside 15 minutes and poured in three more during a chippy second half.
Mullen (3-2-1), No. 3 in 4A, played without starting goalie Aaron Brugman, who was red- carded in its previous game.
The Bruins’ good fortune was evident on Koji Goldman’s opening goal that was set up by Brian Orlovsky, who saw his shot veer wide – but right to Goldman. “It was a great miss-hit,” Orlovsky said with a laugh.
Orlovsky made no mistake in the 15th minute when he roofed a 22-yarder, then George Carmichael made it 3-0 with a nifty dribble and finish in the penalty area.
“We battled hard for the first 20 minutes, and when we let in that third goal we kind of put our heads down,” Mullen coach Jay McClain said.
The Bruins were up 4-0 in the 45th minute on a blistering 35-yard free kick by Rafael Amaya. Mullen’s goal came a minute later from Diego Lashlee.
More good luck befell freshman John Lacouture, who scored on a long, looping shot in the 62nd minute and Kamron Zia later tapped in a loose ball.
Mullen 0 1 – 1
Cherry Creek 3 3 – 6
Goals – CC: Ko. Goldman (Orlovsky), 10th minute; CC: Orlovsky (unassisted), 15th; CC: Carmichael (unassisted), 32nd; CC: Amaya (free kick), 45th; M: Lashlee (free kick), 46th; CC: Lacouture (unassisted), 62nd; CC: Zia (unassisted), 77th.
Shots on goal – Mullen 2-7 – 9; Cherry Creek 4-6 – 10. Saves – Mullen (Mejia 23 mins., Mackey 57 mins.) 1-3 – 4; Cherry Creek (Hutchinson 40 mins., Wolf 37 mins., Kontnik 3 mns.) 2-6 – 8. Offsides – Mullen 1-0 – 1; Cherry Creek 0-1 – 1. Corner kicks – Mullen 1-3 – 4; Cherry Creek 1-1 – 2. Fouls – Mullen 3-7 – 10; Cherry Creek 8-11 – 19. Yellow cards – Schultz, Mullen, 27th minute; Zia, Cherry Creek, 36th; Mejia, Mullen, 67th; Serina, Mullen, 69th.
