Every time the Mullen boys lacrosse team made a statement, top-ranked Arapahoe seemed to have an answer.
But Cooper Mazon had the final say, amid a riot of crosses and elbows, and the motivated Mustangs rocked visiting Arapahoe 6-5 in overtime Wednesday night at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium.
Mullen, No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News rankings, took five leads in regulation but was matched goal-for-goal by the Warriors each time. In the sudden-victory overtime, Mazon corralled an assist from Kyle Wollenhaupt, took hits from every angle and unleashed the game-winning shot while falling to the turf.
“It was all Kyle on that one,” said Mazon, who scored three times, twice unassisted. “Kyle made a nice dodge as always and I just got into open space. … I didn’t think I was going to catch it, so when I got it I started looking for some open net.”
Arapahoe (13-2) evicted Mullen (14-2) from the state playoffs last season with an 8-7 victory in the quarterfinals, and the Mustangs haven’t forgotten.
“This was the game I’ve been looking forward to all year,” Mazon said.
Wollenhaupt, who finished with a goal and two assists, opened the scoring in the first two minutes despite being double covered. Arapahoe sophomore scoring phenom Eric Law responded late in the quarter after goalkeeper Wes Gibler triggered a fast break following a clutch save.
The teams went into halftime tied 3-3, and defense took over in the third quarter.
Mazon finally broke the scoreless drought with a minute remaining in the quarter, but Arapahoe set up a play in the waning seconds and Miles Lepry tied the game once again.
Mullen took its fifth lead in the fourth quarter with a goal scored by Brian Collins and set up by Wollenhaupt, but the Law brothers answered right back. Forty-five seconds after the Mustangs’ goal, Kevin Law assisted brother Eric for the second time of the night.
There were chances on both sides to win in regulation – Mullen’s Jonas Kurronen hit the post with 5:15 remaining, and Arapahoe’s Chris Carry was stonewalled by Mullen goalie James Standley from point-blank range with 1:55 left.
Arapahoe even had the final possession of regulation, but Mullen’s Cory Hughes made a great defensive play to force a turnover.
In overtime, Mullen controlled possession for a minute until Wollenhaupt found Mazon in heavy traffic for the victory.
Eric Law scored three goals for Arapahoe and Matt Pullara finished with three assists.
Arapahoe 1 2 1 1 0 – 5
Mullen 1 2 1 1 1 – 6
First quarter – Wollenhaupt (unassisted), M, 10:02; E. Law (Pullara), A, 2:45.
Second quarter – Collins (Smith), M, 10:48; Parietti (Pullara), A, 9:22; Mazon (unassisted), M, 8:42; E. Law (K. Law), A, 5:01.
Third quarter – Mazon (unassisted), M, 1:00; Lepry (Pullara), A, :05.
Fourth quarter – Collins (Wollenhaupt), M, 9:07; E. Law (K. Law), A, 8:23.
Overtime – Mazon (Wollenhaupt), M, 2:57.
Shots on goal – Arapahoe 4-4-2-3-0 – 13; Mullen 4-3-3-1-1 – 12. Saves – Arapahoe (Gibler) 3-1-2-0-0 – 6; Mullen (Standley) 3-2-1-2-0 – 8. Groundballs – Arapahoe 4-3-4-4-1 – 16; Mullen 4-3-3-4-2 – 16.
