The topsy-turvy Moore League boys’ soccer season was finally settled on Wednesday, and the CIF Southern Section playoff brackets will be released on Saturday.
Cabrillo 1, Millikan 0
The Jaguars are ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 2 this week, and showed their top-ranked resolve by bouncing back from the devastating loss at Wilson with a regular season finale win over visiting third-place Millikan. Alexis Torres’ 70th minute penalty kick proved to be the difference.
Cabrillo hasn’t lost to Millikan in this league Clásico rivalry since 2017, and two of the last four meetings have been draws. The Jaguars also finish with their best overall record (18-2-4) since joining the Moore League.
“I knew at the beginning of the season that this team had the potential to be one of the best teams we’ve ever had here,” Cabrillo coach Pay Noyes said. “Having said that, I want to score more goals. We create way too many chances to not have two or more goals per game.”
Both teams starters’ played limited minutes with the league standings all but set before the game, but Millikan also played shorthanded because of two red cards for dissent. The first red card came in the 20th minute, and the Rams went down to nine men on the field in the 60th minute. Cabrillo happily played keep-away for most of the second half while outshooting Millikan 15-6.
“This is a learning process,” Millikan coach Rod Petkovic said. “If you don’t learn from mistakes you’re not growing as an athlete, and we’re not growing as a team.”
Cabrillo senior Brayan Valenzuela drew the foul inside the Millikan 18-yard penalty box ten minutes after the second red card, and Torres cleanly finishing the PK. Meanwhile, Cabrillo goalkeeper Yancy Monterola only needed three saves to deliver his 15th clean sheet performance this season. The Jaguars defense has only allowed 11 goals in 23 games, and four in league play.
Wilson 1, Poly 0
The Bruins finished their undefeated league championship season with a clean sheet victory at home. Senior captain Carlos Mota scored the only goal on a redirected header in the 60th minute, while the Wilson defense posted its 12th shutout of the season.
Jordan 2, Compton 1
The Panthers finished their season with a win at home thanks to goals from Yurong Yun and Saul Vazquez.
FINAL MOORE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Wilson – 27 points (14–6-4, 9-0-3)
Cabrillo – 23 points (18-2-4, 8-2-2)
Millikan – 20 points (16-5-6, 5-2-5)
Poly – 15 points (9-8-6, 4-5-3)
Jordan – 14 points (3-6-6, 3-4-5)
Lakewood – 11 points (6-13-3, 3-7-2)
Compton – 0 points (2-12-1, 0-12-0)
