The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
“It takes a village.”
That’s what Millikan coach Tino Nunez said on Tuesday night at Wilson after his Millikan girls’ soccer team won a second consecutive Moore League championship thanks to a 2-0 win. The Rams have won five of the last six league titles.
“It takes time and building a program is building stability,” Nunez continued. “The coaching staff and the parents— everyone has to buy in. I see alumni parents still coming out to support. With that you can establish what you’re about, and then you get to work. When it starts to click you get more talent.”
Millikan (16-2-1, 11-0) dominated the game on Tuesday while outshooting Wilson 14-4 and took a lead in the third minute on a goal from Audrey Stewart. The Rams doubled their lead at the hour mark on a cracking goal from Emily Frost. Both goals came because of fantastic lead passes from Bella Nunez.
“It feels amazing, especially two yours in a row,” Bella Nunez said. “It’s so deserving. This team gives it everything we’ve got.”
Bella Nunez added that this Millikan team is good because of its chemistry and mindset.
“We all care and really want it,” she added. “We are such a coachable group. We listen to our coaches points they give us, we’re very disciplined. A lot of us really care for the sport and have such a passion for it.”
The first goal proved that to be true as a pair of extra passes allowed Stewart to score.
“Millikan is good because we have passion, we have heart,” Stewart said.
While Millikan struggled to put their many chances on frame, Wilson (10-6-2, 9-2) tried to create equalizing opportunities by attacking the flanks, but only mustered a pair of shots on goal. Millikan goalkeeper Savannah Dorsey recorded the clean sheet.
In the 46th minute, Frost was taken down in the 18-yard box for a penalty kick but she bounced her shot off the post. Instead of sulking, she went back to work on the wing and was rewarded with the goal that she finished with her first touch.
“That showed exactly who she is,” coach Nunez said. “Mentally she’s so tough. Nothing fazes her. She’s just gonna keep going. Right away it was like she was on a mission. It’s what you want to engrave in these kids and when you see it it’s a lot of pride.”
“I just knew that I have to let it go,” Frost said. “It was in the past and you can’t do anything about it, you just have to move forward and do the best I can.”
Six year of Millikan success has prepared these Rams to deliver in clutch moments.
“This team has players that have been in big games,” coach Nunez said. “They really hold each other accountable and I think that mindset is important.”
Millikan and Wilson play again on Thursday at Millikan. CIF Southern Section playoff brackets will be released on Saturday.
