There was no mincing of words after Millikan girls’ soccer shocked the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs with a 6-0 win over visiting JSerra in the middle of May.
“It felt good to get revenge,” Millikan senior Alyssa Reyes said after she dished out three assists to help the Rams finally beat the Lions.
After winning back-to-back Moore League titles, Millikan was knocked out of the playoffs by JSerra in each of the previous two seasons — including a heartbreaking overtime loss in 2019.
“There’s a group that’s been here and played against (JSerra) all three years, and it’s a ‘Let’s get our respect’ kind of thing,” Millikan coach Tino Nunez said. “What better feeling than to do it at our home, especially after what happened last year?”
JSerra beat Millikan 4-0 in the first round in Long Beach last season, and it was also the fourth time in six years the Rams had faced the Lions in the postseason. However, the game this year looked nothing like those contests as Millikan was utterly dominant against the private school powerhouse. The Rams outshot the visitors 15-6 while JSerra racked up five yellow cards.
Millikan sophomore Hannah Marshall gave the Rams a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals in the 12th and 15th minutes off some deft cuts back into the 18-yard box that showcased her improved skill with both feet.
Co All-City Player of the Year and senior Courtney Cummings scored twice in the second half to put the game away and set off a celebrating that was a long time coming.
