Millikan has won five of the last six Moore League girls’ soccer championships, so you might think that would allow coach Tino Nunez to rest on his laurels and stick to what got his Rams in position to three-peat for the second time in seven years.
However, injuries throughout an inexperienced roster and the changing landscape of club soccer has Nunez calling this season, “The year of opportunity.”
“This year is different because we graduated a big class and now we have a lot of new players,” Nunez said. “I’m looking forward to it because this will be a good one to figure out.”
One of the few returning starters is midfielder Bella Nunez, and the junior has accepted the responsibility of being a leader.
“I think I have the experience that can lead them and help them out because it is new to a lot of them,” she said. “But it’s a whole new team.”
The coach and captain’s messages to the young additions have been consistent reminders of the historical expectations.
“I’m definitely using history to try and motivate, especially with a big group that experienced it at the lower levels,” Nunez said. “Now they have to experience it at this level. And if you’ve been there and done it hopefully it brings experience and the confidence to know, ‘This is what we do here.’”
With that in mind, Nunez has adjusted his training regiment to better accommodate his players who also have club and other demands off the high school field.
“It’s trying to do our part to adapt to what’s going on outside,” Nunez said. “When I first started (at Millikan) it was every day, all day type of work. But the landscape of club soccer has changed. We have to adapt to that. I think the players appreciate that and when you ask so much of them they have more energy and are willing to give it to you.”
Bella Nunez agreed with that sentiment and has grown a lot under the tutelage of her coaching staff. She thinks their support and opportunities to play a lot as an underclassman has improved her confidence to be more controlling from her central midfield position.
“She gives you 110 percent every time she steps on the field,” coach Nunez said. “When a player gives you that no matter what they’ve got going on, no matter how much training, you start taking interest. We’ve worked on slowing the game down for her to understand situations for her to break through easier.”
Seniors Variah Sanchez and Layla Valle will accompany Nunez in the midfield. Sanchez is a holding midfielder who is coming off a great season, and Valle is a first-year Varsity player who is very technical and comfortable on the ball.
Millikan has already lost senior defender Sophia Nygaard, senior forward Emily Frost and junior striker Sophia Ackerman to injuries during the offseason, so Nunez is going to rely on multiple newcomers to provide in the attack.
Senior Melia Kukahiko, junior Karly Gallo, sophomore Alexandra Rios and freshman Adelyn Murphy will all need to contribute up top. Kukahiko is hungry as she returns from a torn ACL last year, and the others will use their pace to thrive at the Varsity level.
“I really like Kukahiko and Gallo because they have a really great work ethnic and will run everywhere,” Bella Nunez said. “I want to help them keep the ball up there as a forward until we all run up and they can play off of that.”
“When you’re building a program it’s about the program always being bigger than anyone,” coach Nunez said. “Yes, you need pieces and talent. But if you’re depending on a player of two you’re going to struggle no matter what. Based on that culture and identity, I hope that players take these opportunities and make the most of it.”
Millikan does have a capable duo at goalkeeper with senior Savannah Dorsey and sophomore Samantha Ortiz returning to split time between the posts. In front of them leading the defense will be juniors Savannah Galvan and London Perez.
“I need them to be coachable as we’re trying things,” coach Nunez said. “Early on is a great chance to mess with formations and personnel. If they just believe we’re going to be fine. I think we have the speed and the talent, so if we get everyone to buy in on the defensive side, that’s going to give us a chance this year.”
Bella Nunez added that the key to success in the Moore League is simple.
“It’s just going in there hard right away,” she said. “High school soccer isn’t that pretty but if you go in there hard and just give it your all then that’s what is going to help us.”
