ALL'S WELL THAT MENDS WELL, FAST\Fralich's recovery a boon to Mustangs.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Special to the Daily News

When you have suffered through two anterior cruciate ligament injuries as The Master's College's Laura Fralich has, you have to choose the path of recovery.

As Fralich sees it, "You can either be conservative and take it easy, or you can be real aggressive and start walking as soon as possible."

The latter approach is more painful, but it's the road the junior chose after her second knee injury a year ago.

The Mustang women's basketball team is glad she did. With her leadership at the point, the team is 11-20 heading into tonight's regular-season finale at home against Patten. Fralich is fifth in the nation in assists, averaging almost six per game. She's also averaging almost three steals each game.

"We wouldn't be anywhere near where we are without her leadership," Coach Ken Sugarman said. "Teams pressing us is not a problem this year. She's helped a lot of younger players gain confidence."

Fralich said her two knee injuries and subsequent recoveries have been a learning experience, complete with frustration and elation.

"One time is bad enough. Twice is real frustration, especially when you enjoy playing," she said. "It's a cliche, but it does make you a stronger person. It makes all those other things incidental. . . . It teaches you a different kind of discipline."

As far as she knows, her comeback has been unique. She knows other players who tore the same ligament, but their injuries are not healing as quickly, forcing them to either not play this year or not play ever.

"I feel very fortunate, but it's a personal thing," she said.

When she finishes at The Master's, she hopes to go to medical school, which Sugarman thinks is perfect for her.

"She's got a good heart for helping people. Medicine's a good field for those types of people," he said.

Men's update: The men's basketball team finished the regular season with victories against Bay Area schools Holy Name, San Francisco State and San Jose Christian, giving the Mustangs a 25-6 record. They're ranked sixth in the NAIA national poll, but the new one is expected Monday.

Next up is the four-team Far West Region Tournament March 2 and 5. Coach Bill Oates has said he expects his team to be the top-seeded team and therefore earn home-court advantage. The tournament champion advances to the NAIA National Tournament in Tulsa, Okla.

Appreciation: Last week, after senior James Mosley fouled out of his final regular-season home game, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

"That kind of touched me," Mosley was reported to have said. "It showed they appreciate hard work."

Recruiting watch: Men's soccer coach Jim Rickard said he remains on the prowl for his top recruits, including Nate Wright of Saugus.

"I had a real good talk with Nate Wright Jr.," Rickard said. "He said he'd like to come to Master's. It was during a baseball game, so I wasn't trying to get him to sign on the dotted line."

Wright has made it clear he wants to play soccer and baseball should he choose Master's. Rickard said he won't be certain if he will get any of his recruits until the financial aid office tells him what he can offer them. The school's tuition of about $16,000 has scared some off, he said.

Adding to the Wright equation, however, is the fact he's been accepted to Pepperdine, his father, Nate Sr., said. Pepperdine has no soccer program.

Another prized recruit is Paul Dojo, who Rickard tried to get last year but lost to Moorpark College. Dojo, a center midfielder, is expected to visit the school this week. A recruit from Ohio is expected for a visit March 3; and another, from Washington, is due in for a visit this week.