The562’s coverage of water polo & swimming is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2022-23 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
A Moore League Championship was on the line at LBCC Wednesday evening as Wilson hosted Millikan. The game was tight through the first quarter, but the Bruins fast pace allowed them to pull away with a 14-7 win.
Wilson senior Maya O’Dea moved all around the pool for the Bruins, finishing with a game-high five goals.
Coach Barry O’Dea spoke about how reliable his daughter was after the game.
“Wherever we needed her she went and she got the job done,” said Coach O’Dea of Maya. “If you can say anything to a coach about how good a player is, that would be it. A player that’s willing to go anywhere, to do anything that you need them to do to help the team come out on top.”
The seniors’ big performance landed on a special night, as the Bruins celebrated senior night in their Moore League win.
“It was really cool to go out with a bang,” said Maya O’Dea. “Four years in a row as Moore League Champs, so it’s really exciting.”
Wilson also cashed in four goals from Jermonie Billingsley and two from Katherine O’Dea. Hannah Szesulski, Reece Haga, and Vivian Bailey also had one each.
In the second quarter, Wilson began out-working the Rams, using their speed to take advantage of turnovers and gain a lead. Through the final three quarters the Bruins outscored Millikan 10-4 after leading just 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Maya O’Dea spoke about the importance of having a fast pace after the game.
“(Speed) is really important to us,” said O’Dea. “It’s been really important recently to pick up our speed and play hard and fast, because that’s when we’re at our best.”
Millikan was able to take the lead twice in the opening quarter, however, off goals from sisters Avery and Larsen Jensen. Senior Jennine Osorio would also end her final regular season game with a hat trick and team-high three goals.
Unfortunately, turnovers would end up biting the Rams, as the Bruins captured their lead and never looked back. Millikan coach Jose Guzman said that those turnovers are what they need to work on in the postseason.
“It’s just cleaning up the turnovers,” said Guzman. “If we’re gonna make turnovers it’s gotta either be from an entry pass or from taking a shot from an opportunity, but not from a bad pass. That’s like nails on a chalkboard when you see it.”
Despite the loss, the Rams were ranked No. 1 in the most recent CIF Division 2 rankings, and certainly have CIF title hopes once again this season.
Meanwhile, it’s another league championship season for Wilson, and the Bruins will await their postseason fate as a bubble team for the Open Division or Division 1.
The CIF-SS brackets will be released this Saturday morning, so be sure to return to The562.org for coverage.
