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The Millikan Rams led in every statistic in their playoff opener against Mission Viejo, except the one that counts. Despite outplaying the visiting Diablos for most of the night, the Rams were unable to protect their early lead in a frustrating 2-1 loss to open the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.
Alexandra “Furby” Rios scored in the 10th minute to punctuate a terrific start to the game for Millikan, but Mission Viejo was able to equalize later in the half, then secure the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 58th minute.
“I thought we came out strong. I thought the first 15 minutes were exactly what we had talked about, what had planned,” said Millikan head coach Tino Nunez. “But this game’s a matter of moments. They had one to get back in the game, and I just think overall, we got sloppy … We were just never able to settle in when it looked like they were kind of getting into the game. And so in those moments, I think we have to learn.”
Millikan’s breakthrough looked like the start of a fun night at DeHaven Stadium, as junior London Perez corralled a diagonal ball on the right side of the field, did a nice job to create space for a cross, then sent in a beautiful assist for Rios, who took her chance well in front of goal to make it 1-0 Millikan.
The Rams continued to apply pressure with corner kicks and shots on the MV goal, but the Diablos were able to even things up against the run of play with a well-executed counterattack. Junior Ava Sivadat received a cross at the top of the Millikan penalty area and created enough space to get a shot away and tie the match at 1-1, but the Rams went right back to work in the final 20 minutes of the first half.
Millikan ended up with a notable advantage in shot attempts in the first half, and also led 3-0 in corners over the Diablos.
Their superiority carried over to the start of the second half, when the Rams nearly took the lead back just four minutes in. Karly Gallo used some nifty footwork to get past two Mission Viejo defenders, then laid it off to Bella Nunez, who settled herself just outside the top of the penalty area and took a strike on goal.
Nunez’ strike was headed toward the top corner of the goal, but MV keeper Maycie Pugh was able to get a hand to it, sending the ball deflecting off the crossbar and back into play. The Diablos were able to clear the danger, and quickly were able to shift the momentum of the game and start generating chances to score.
Their breakthrough came in the 58th minute, when McKenna Pugh was taken down in the Millikan penalty area, earning the Diablos the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Freshman Kendall Joanis stepped up and buried her try, which proved to be the game winner.
“It seemed like we were just late, and probably a lack of communication to know who’s stepping, because it looked like there was two or three of us there going to the same ball,” said Coach Nunez on what he saw on the penalty. “And she got positioned on it and got taken down. That’s kind of what it looked like from over here. So, yeah, I think it was a foul. It looked like it from my angle.”
Millikan was able to get numbers forward and get a few decent opportunities in the final 20 minutes of action, but were unable to regain their form from early in the game to find the equalizer.
The good news for the Rams is that they have several key players returning off a very young squad. Nunez said he hopes his players return motivated by this experience and eager to have a better outcome in 2026.
Mission Viejo, meanwhile, will visit El Rancho in Friday’s second round.
