The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin.
The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
The Millikan Rams have established a Moore League girls’ soccer dynasty under head coach Tino Nunez, winning five out of six league championships from 2019-24.
Last season, Millikan was firmly in the hunt until the final game of the regular season, and ended up in second place after a loss to Long Beach Poly. Despite setbacks against Wilson and Poly to bookend their league schedule, the Rams earned victories over each of their top city rivals in-between those losses.
It’s fair to say that the road to a Moore League title still goes through Spring & Palo Verde, and while the Rams are perennial contenders, they’ve now got the added motivation of chasing that top spot–plus the talent and depth to make that a reality.
“I think you nailed it, because we want to get that back,” said Nunez of the team’s desire to reclaim their title. “Now there’s something to get back and something to work towards, rather than like, ‘Hey, let’s do it again.’ I think you can sense that around the group, I think everybody is on the same page and understands what we’re trying to do, so that helps.”
Going into last season, the Rams had their roster derailed with four ACL injuries, impacting some of their key pieces. That forced some young players into larger roles that perhaps they weren’t expecting, but things have gone more to plan this offseason and there will be much more experience out on the pitch.
“I think last year that energy or that excitement of the season starting was taken away a little bit,” Nunez admitted. “For the returners, I think last year they were probably expecting a lesser role, maybe rotating or coming in off the bench, and they were asked to step up right away. So I think now with experience and them seeing it and understanding it, I’m hopeful that it’s not something that fazes them.”
One player who’s been no stranger to playing time is senior Bella Nunez, who’s back at attacking mid for the Rams. She knows Millikan is circled on the schedule for the rest of the Moore League, but she likes that there’s a high standard to maintain.
“We appreciate that, so we need to live up to that, that’s our goal,” said Nunez. “I think that this group genuinely cares about the sport, so I think every player will put in the work, and I think that’s what will get us far. We obviously have some talent here and there, but I don’t think that’s our main strength. I think the hard work that this group will put in will really help us.”
She’ll be working to create chances for Millikan’s top goal scorer from last season, Alexandra “Furby” Rios, who broke on the scene in a big way as a sophomore. Coach Nunez is hoping to see her continue to develop and expand on her game, which already includes a natural nose for goal.
“We’re just expecting that next step for her,” said Nunez of Rios. “You always want more the next year, the next year, so we’re hoping she takes that on and kind of leads that front line.”
Also on the attack for Millikan will be seniors Karly Gallo and Caoimhe Tighe, and Nunez says he’s got a few youngsters with pace who can come in and shake up a match. Those include Alyssa Carrillo and Ellie Carungcong on the wing and sophomore Adelyn Murphy at center forward.
On the other end of the pitch, the Rams will have junior Sam Ortiz back in goal. She shared the job last season but is expected to take ownership of the role in a more full-time capacity this year.
In front of her will be a back line led by returning Moore League Co-Defender of the Year Savannah Galvan. She missed the early part of last season due to club soccer, but Nunez said the defense completely changed with her in the starting 11, and she’ll be the captain of Millikan’s defense this year.
She’ll be joined by sophomore Jayla Cortes, who contributed as a freshman and is expected to take a step forward as a 10th grader. Seniors Gigi Fang and London Perez add experience to the back line and should round out the back four for the Rams.
The midfield will have some versatility behind Nunez at attacking mid. Juniors Sarah Thaut, Harper Young, and Emily Gonzalez will be in the mix there, along with sophomores AJ Aquino and Ava Parkhill.
As usual, the Rams will test themselves throughout the season in non-league play, with quality matches on the schedule against Palos Verdes, Troy, and Huntington Beach.
It’ll be crucial to get up to speed quickly since they’ll once again have a marquee Moore League match prior to Winter Break. Millikan opens league play on Dec. 4 when they host the Wilson Bruins at DeHaven Stadium, as both teams will look to get an early edge in the Moore League title race.
