The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
For the first time this season, Millikan boys’ soccer coach Jeff Schofield got to see his team at full strength for their game against Long Beach Poly on Friday night. After a blazing start for the Rams which led to a 2-0 victory over the Jackrabbits, Schofield was understandably pleased with what he saw from the reigning Moore League champs.
“I was really surprised at the start how well they played together, having not actually worked together as a unit for the whole season,” Schofield said of his team. “This was a big one, you know, we had Compton earlier in the week that kind of got us ready and we knew this was a big one in this first part (of league play) to make sure we get a victory in this one.”
The Rams came out firing offensively, racking up 10 shots in the first half with their first eight ending up on frame. They broke through in the 13th minute off a set piece, after being awarded a free kick along the Poly sideline. Jacob Chavez delivered a terrific ball into the penalty area, where senior Orlando Rost got his head to it and flicked it past the Poly keeper to give the Rams the 1-0 lead.
“Going into this game, we were filled with adrenaline,” said Rost after the win. “The perfect service from Chavez set me up perfectly. It really felt good, I haven’t really scored a goal in a minute, so to help my team out the best I can, and in a very important game to give us good momentum in Moore League, It’s a really great feeling.”
Chavez nearly added a goal of his own later in the half, but was denied by one of Adrian Bernal’s six first-half saves. Bernal was crucial again in the final minute of the half as junior Juan Vasquez showed great ball skills to set himself up for a wicked half-volley, but the Jackrabbit keeper was there for the stop to keep it 1-0 Rams at halftime.
After the break, Poly head coach Eric Leon switched to three defenders at the back in an effort to get more bodies forward. That helped the Jackrabbits see more of the ball and take pressure off their defenders, but Poly was unable to generate many clear chances on goal.
That’s not necessarily the identity of this Poly team, however, despite their first week of league games. The Jackrabbits started the year 5-0 with a total of 16 goals scored across those games, but have failed to score in their first two league games against Lakewood (0-0) and now Millikan.
“We have unintentionally created our own standard and a target on our backs, nd I feel that we’re getting the best from every team,” Leon said. “When people play against Poly, they want to beat us. And I think we need to mature a little bit and expect each team to give us their 110 percent. I don’t think we’re matching the other team’s intensity, but nevertheless, no excuses from my boys. My boys are more than capable of winning out the rest of the way, we just have to want it a little bit more.”
Millikan had just four shots in the second half, but Vasquez took full advantage of his opportunity in the 52nd minute. He sized up a bouncing ball just inside Poly’s penalty area, getting his left foot behind the ball and smashing another half-volley, only this time it hit the back of the net.
“To be honest, it just came out of nowhere,” said Vasquez of his goal. “The ball came off a deflection and I just smashed it top right.”
It was one of several confident strikes taken by the Rams in this one, and Vasquez said the team is riding high while looking to defend their league title.
“I think the whole team has a lot of confidence going into this. We want to go back-to-back,” he said. “It’s just in everyone. Everyone’s just pushing through and playing with confidence.”
Millikan (6-0-2) will be back in action on Tuesday hosting Jordan, while Poly (5-1-1) will host Compton and Wilson in next week’s action.
