Like the rest of the top teams in the Moore League, Millikan is also dealing with integrating new players into the lineup while waiting for the full roster to be available due to club commitments.
“Everyone is dealing with the same things,” Millikan coach Tino Nunez said. “Maybe this can give an opportunity for players who don’t get as many minutes to come in and be more prepared to fill in and rotate. I think it kind of helps us because now these players won’t be as nervous in those big situations.”
Nunez added that he really likes his team this year, and the balance of experience and newcomers who have been welcomed kindly by the returning starters.
Senior captain Emily Barham, who missed half of last season due to a transfer, is a huge pickup for the program, and will be an enforcer on defense in front of sophomore goalkeeper Isabella Meyer.
Senior captain and All-Moore League midfielder Karli Slater is back for her third year on varsity, and Nunez is counting on her to pace the Rams attack with a two crafty attacking junior midfielders Sammy Sierra and Azalia Salazar. They will be looking to feed forward Bailey Gallitin, who will be one of the biggest forwards in the league.
Millikan has been one win away from taking a share of the league crown in the last three years.
“That’s always in the back of our mind, but we just want to take it game by game and training by training so we can focus on the little things so hopefully at the end we get what you’re working for and what you deserve,” Nunez said.
