LITTLETON — Callie Hancock just did what she was told Wednesday.
Protecting a slim lead over defending Class 5A champion Mullen (2-2-1), the Chatfield junior striker rejoined the fray with simple orders from coach Brock Blume.
“Blume told me to go in and score in the last 10 minutes,” said Hancock, whose goal with eight minutes remaining gave the seventh-ranked Chargers a 2-0 nonleague victory on their new home field.
Senior defender C.J. McNeely opened the scoring in the fifth minute when she blasted home a free kick from nearly 40 yards out as the Chargers (6-0) got two saves from goalkeeper Alyssa Gillmore to notch their fifth shutout.
Hancock had multiple shots turned aside by Mustangs keeper Christina Palomino before she finally got one past her.
Hancock began the linking play with a pass to Tori Delmonico, who centered the ball to Stephanie Rowe for a precise pass to the left side of the 6-yard box. Palomino couldn’t smother the ball, and it slipped to Hancock near the end line, where she managed to finesse it in from an awkward angle.
“I was struggling with my finishing, and I just tried to get it in,” Hancock said. “It was kind of a cross, but it ended up curving in.”
Mullen 0 0 — 0
Chatfield 1 1 — 2
Goals — McNeely (free kick), 5th minute; Hancock (unassisted), 72nd.
Shots on goal — Mullen 1-1 — 2; Chatfield 7-7 — 14. Saves — Mullen (Palomino) 6-6 — 12; Chatfield (Gillmore) 1-1 — 2. Offsides — Mullen 0-0 — 0; Chatfield 1-1 — 2. Corner kicks — Mullen 0-1 — 1; Chatfield 3-4 — 7. Fouls — Mullen 8-5 — 13; Chatfield 6-4 — 10.
