Millikan has all but clinched its second consecutive Moore League girls’ soccer championship after beating Lakewood and watching Wilson lose late to Long Beach Poly.
Long Beach Poly 3, Wilson 2
Senior Aniah Cutler almost single-handedly pushed Poly past Wilson with a hat trick in a rivalry victory that dashes the Bruins’ Moore League championship hopes. However, Cutler said her team’s motivation was internal.
“We knew that we had the skill to win league,” she said after scoring the game-winner in the 79th minute. “And even though we didn’t perform our best in the other games, we all just came together and worked hard enough to finally win a good game. We really wanted a win.”
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS — PHOTO GALLERY
Cutler gave the Jackrabbits a lead in the 22nd minute with an incredible header off senior Morgan King’s corner kick. Poly earned seven corners in the first half, but Wilson outshot the visitors 5-3 including Cade Mendoza’s equalizing penalty kick three minutes later.
Wilson senior captain Kristin Berry’s header in the 44th minute put her team up 2-1 and in position to hold to the league title, but Cutler pounced on a Bruins miscue just after the hour mark to equalize.
After both teams had chances to score again in the final 15 minutes, a 79th minute long throw in from Poly sophomore Sarah Amara was flicked on and into the box by junior Kelsey Adams. Cutler broke through traffic in the front of goal to knock in a deflection with her leg. She scored all five Jackrabbit goals in the two league games against Wilson this season.
“That’s the type of games I wish I was in the stands for,” Poly coach Anthony Perez said. “It was so exciting and really showed off Aniah’s versatility.”
Perez added that he wanted his team to concentrate on themselves, and not Wilson’s chance to win league.
“We wanted to put a statement on the season and let the league know that this was how we should’ve gone through,” he said. “And we have to get ready for playoffs and get into our rhythm. We needed this win.”
Wilson will finish second in league and close the regular season at Jordan on Tuesday.
“It’s unfortunate on Senior Night,” Wilson assistant coach Steve Soler said. “But it’s okay. We’re just going to let it hurt a little, and then tomorrow is a new day.”
Wilson is still without coach Dalton Kaufman, who is still out on leave.
Millikan 4, Lakewood 0
Juniors Alyssa Reyes and Robin Swanson, sophomore Natalie Paulson and senior Samy Sierra all scored for the Rams in this important win on Senior Night. The Poly win puts Millikan alone in first place and one win over Compton (Tues) away from its second consecutive league title. The Rams last won consecutive league titles in 1985-86.
Jordan 6, Compton 2
Sophomore Anamarie Montoya benefited from a formation change by coach Sergio Villasenor and scored four goals in this win on the road.
St. Anthony 4, St. Monica 1
The Saints (8-7, 6-0) stayed undefeated in Camino Real League play with a win on the road. St. Anthony hosts St. Bernard on Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Clark Field.
TUESDAY SCHEDULE
Millikan vs. Compton at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
Cabrillo at Poly, 6 p.m.
Wilson at Jordan, 6 p.m.
MOORE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Millikan: 28 points, 9-1-1
Wilson: 27 points, 9-2-0
LB Poly: 25 points, 8-2-1
Lakewood: 15 points, 5-6-0
Jordan: 9 points, 3-8-0
Cabrillo: 9 points, 3-8-0
Compton: 0-11-0
