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.
Millikan senior Ivan Cevantes Vega put it simply after the Rams lost a tough 2-1 game to El Dorado Friday night in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.
“The game goes to whoever scores the most,” Cervantes Vega said. “You know, sometimes you could be on the best team or you could be the worst team, but in the end, it’s whoever puts away the most chances.”
That sentiment will be one that resonates for the Millikan boys’ soccer team as they were the aggressor for a majority of the night, but couldn’t convert enough opportunities to come away with the win.
Junior Brody Cleven played a big role for the Rams on Friday as he had numerous throws that were on the mark, but several times the Golden Hawks came up with stops. One throw by Cleven was right in a spot for Cevantes was able to get his head on it, but the Golden Hawks made a stop.
Cervantes Vegas had another shot opportunity for the Rams as they outshot El Dorado 7-2 in the first half with some quality attempts but almost every time a defender was there to get a leg on it or the keeper made the stop.
Looking to manufacture some opportunities, the Golden Hawks made the most of an opportunity after Nicholas Bindra sent in a cross to the far side of the goal and defender Joshua Lauterborn was there to connect with on a cross-goal header to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.
“I think Millikan is a better team than us,” El Dorado coach Steven McManus said. “But CIF is about trying to find ways to win. We’re not the most technically gifted or the most skillful – but what we developed over the course of the season is a spirit to win.”
That spirit carried the Golden Hawks into the break with the lead and in the 47th minute El Dorado was awarded a penalty kick after they drew a foul.
Abel Espinoza was able to get his shot past Kirby Sheets to give the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead just as the second half began.
Millikan continued to be aggressive and after being awarded a corner kick, Cleven rose to the occasion as he found himself in perfect position to deliver on a header and he drilled the shot to make it a one goal game in the 62nd minute.
The Rams continued to fight and were awarded a penalty kick with the opportunity to tie the game. Pablo Lica had his number called in the moment and he attempted a shot to his right – but the El Dorado keeper came up with the stop to deny the Rams the equalizer.
“It’s disappointing,” Millikan coach Jeff Schofield said of the loss. “I felt like we created enough chances to win and it was just a couple little breakdowns that led to their goals which is a little frustrating.”
Millikan continued to try and get shot with time winding down, but weren’t able to find the equalizer.
