Los Alamitos women’s soccer beat Millikan in Division 1 knockout with Marisa Salazar’s ‘top-notch’ goal – Orange County Register

LOS ALAMITOS >> It’s one of the better hits Millikan coach Tino Nunez has seen this season.

Unfortunately, for Millikan, the goal was scored by Los Alamitos senior Marisa Salazar in less than 25 minutes of play.

“I get the ball wide and pick it up, I see a little opening and I want, let me take that shot and it’ll go in,” Salazar said.

Los Alamitos coach Pat Rossi added: “It was a top goal. “I knew it was going to be a close match. I knew a goal would probably decide it, so once I saw that goal done, we organized in the back and we knew they were going to come after us. ”

Los Alamitos (17-4-5) won 1-0 against Millikan (19-4-2) in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs Wednesday night at Los Alamitos High School.

Girls Soccer Division 1: Los Alamitos 1, Millikan 0. Finals. @LosAlAthletics pic.twitter.com/hyo75fdsSq

– John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 17, 2022

It was a competitive game, as the two schools were less than 3 miles apart.

It is also the second time the two teams have played this season, with Millikan winning 2-1 on December 4.

“It’s a chess game because they know what you have, you know what they have,” Rossi said. “Control your emotions because it can be very emotional to know the players (Millikan), that is CIF.”

Rossi said he advises players to put aside their emotions for 80 minutes and focus on the chance to go deep in the knockout stages.

“They know when it’s game time, it’s game time,” Rossi said. “Be respectful before, during and after, but understand that we’re here to run the business and we’re here to win.”

In the opening minutes, Millikan attacked early but Los Alamitos dominated shots on goal in the first half.

When halftime was over, Los Alamitos continued to attack and defend resiliently.

Millikan had seven shots on goal but the Rams couldn’t get past senior Los Alamitos goalkeeper Aurora Schuck, who finished with a clean sheet.

“I’m proud of all the work our girls have put in,” Nunez said. Obviously you don’t want it to end. “It was a tough way out but they tried their best. Someone has to win these games and unfortunately we are the ones who have to leave the competition.”

For Millikan, this has been an uncertain season, as they have had to postpone matches due to COVID-19.

“I want to make sure they leave here with their heads held high because they deserve it,” Nunez said. “They are always there and always looking to Millikan football. Being a coach makes it easy for me. I just tell them thank you for all the experiences, all the beautiful things.

“I’m just proud of this group.”

Nunez believes his team did a good job holding out Los Alamitos for most of the game.

However, when Salazar found space in the 57th minute, she found an own goal, making it 1-0 for the Griffins.

“I had a couple of chances in this game in the first half, I was messed up, but this game I saw the goal open from behind, so I let me shoot and took my chances. myself,” Salazar explained.

Los Alamitos will compete at Harvard-Westlake in the quarterfinals on Saturday, February 19.

“I’m very excited because this is my last year, I want to go as far as possible, can’t wait,” Salazar concluded.

Los Alamitos Girls Soccer is ready for the second half against Long Beach Millikan. @BeachVarsity @presstelegram @LosAlAthletics pic.twitter.com/XK8K7rBqBu

– John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 17, 2022