The562’s coverage of high school soccer is sponsored by Long Beach FC.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
There was something very business like about Millikan boys’ soccer on Friday night when the Rams hosted Long Beach Poly. It makes sense that they acted like they had been there before because the 3-0 victory clinched a third consecutive Moore League championship for Millikan.
“It’s representative that we’re a true program,” Millikan coach Jeff Schofield said. “We won with kind of the same guys the last two years. Maybe (our league opponents) were thinking it was their turn but this shows this is a real program.”
Millikan (22-2-1, 9-0-1, 28 points) got goals from Joshua Guerrero, Ivan Cervantes Vega and Justin Marchese while goalkeeper Stacey McLean only needed to make two saves in the shutout.
“This is just a great program, I love playing for Millikan,” McLean said. “Hopefully they can go for four next year.”
This was the 17th clean sheet for the Rams and they’ve only allowed 10 goals in 25 games.
“(McLean) is obviously a really good goalkeeper who commands his area really well,” Schofield said. “He communicates well, and that back three is really good.”
Rams defenders Cody Ekblad, Brian Bramasco and Pablo Lica effectively played a high line that limited Poly to seven shots in the game while Millikan’s forwards maintained its high-pressure style to earn eight shots in each half.
“A big part of it is communicating,” McLean said. “(The back line) is really talented and you can see that on the field. We have really good chemistry. They have that experience, It helps knowing that if I’m not on the stat sheet making saves it’s because they’re just doing all the work.”
Millikan took the lead in the 12th minute when Juan Vasquez played a perfect through ball into the Poly 18-yard box for Guerrero to poke home with a left-footed touch.
“I told (the team) before the game, ‘There should be no need for motivation. Win the game and it’s over with,’” Schofield said. “We looked a little nervous early on but once we got the goal we got going.”
Jonah Gershenson had the only shot on goal for Poly in the first half while Millikan’s Cervantes Vega had a game-high three shots before the break, and six in the game.
“Ivan is always one of our better players,” Schofield said. “We had a guy missing so he played a different position (in attack) and he was fantastic. He is so versatile he could play any position and be successful. His motor is great. His attitude is great. He’s also skillful so he’s kind of the total package.”
In the 62nd minute, Cervantes Vega chased down a long ball over the top and dribbled past Poly goalkeeper Noel Gutierrez to score and double the Rams lead 2-0.
“I had to win today,” Cervantes Vega said. “It’s pride. In the morning I was super nervous. But I took (advice) from one of the older alumni, they were like, ‘We leave it up to you.’ So I couldn’t be nervous. I had to win it for them and the team. We’re all just a great big family.”
Millikan was in full control throughout the game and Marchese capped the scoring with the last kick of the ball.
The Rams have outscored their 10 league opponents 38-4. They have games against Wilson and Lakewood next week before the CIF Southern Section playoffs begin.
“This program is amazing and it’s an amazing environment,” Cervantes Vega said. “There’s always a certain type of culture that keeps us motivated. When I was training with varsity as a freshman the guys said, ‘You have to keep the legacy.’”
Millikan has won 13 of the last 18 Moore League titles.
