Murrieta Valley holds off Millikan for crown

IRVINE >> The Millikan girls water polo team had no problem getting shots on target Saturday afternoon.

Getting the ball past Murrieta Valley junior goalkeeper Jaden Soto was a different story for the Rams.

Soto registered 22 saves — 11 in each half — as Murrieta Valley took a defensive route in claiming the program’s sixth CIF Southern Section title and its first since 2016. The Nighthawks grabbed an early lead, never trailed and held on for a 7-6 victory over Millikan to claim the Division 2 title at Woollett Aquatics Center.

The championship comes in Bryan Lynton’s first season back with the program. Lynton stepped away from coaching at the high school level after the 2016 season and guiding the program to its previous five titles.

“I really didn’t envision this happening so quickly,” Lynton said about bringing the program back to a championship level. “I thought it would be more of a process, but we have some super athletic players who were willing to work hard for that success... I also think we’ve done a good job reconnecting with our past.”

Lynton is a firm believer in defense winning championships, and that shows in the team’s playoff results. Murrieta Valley allowed 23 goals in five games, and Millikan’s six was most allowed by the Nighthawks.

Murrieta Valley (21-14) was successful in limiting Millikan’s attempts near the cage and forcing the Rams to take shots from the perimeter. Millikan outshot Murrieta Valley 3921 throughout the match.

“Millikan is strong when they get inside water around the goal,” Lynton said. “We didn’t want them to get those close looks... so we jut tried to funnel everything toward Jaden and just let her go to work.”

Soto was clearly surprised by her final save total Saturday, but she said it felt like she put in a lot of work.

“It’s definitely flattering and gives you confidence when your coach believes in you like that,” Soto said.

“I am exhausted though.”

The six goals in Saturday afternoon’s match tied the second-lowest total for Millikan this season.

“There were a couple moments we will look back on and say, ‘Man, what if that happened differently?” Rams coach Jose Guzman said. “We had the chances, but hats off to that girl (Soto). She’s a beast.”

Murrieta Valley grabbed a 3-1 lead after one quarter behind goals from Kristen Alexander, Amy Pearce and Mackenzie Wood. Millikan got on the board when Avery Jensen scored with two minutes left in the period. Faye Garcia and Jensen scored goals in the second quarter, as the Rams pulled even late in the half.

Wood scored a bar-in goal with 2:02 left in the half, as Murrieta Valley had a 4-3 lead at the halftime break.

Millikan’s Jennine Osorio drew a penalty shot on the opening possession of the second half, and Jensen leveled the score with a 5-meter shot. The Rams had two 6-on-5s but couldn’t take advantage or the lead.

“I’m a defensive player by nature, so I knew I had a big responsibility at the center guard position,” Pearce said of the strategy. “Playing defense, protecting our cage and protecting Jaden definitely are priorities.”

Kaili Boyer and Elizabeth Hernandez scored goals in a span of 39 seconds to give Murrieta Valley a 6-4 lead after three quarters. Hernandez scored again in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 7-4.

Soto’s biggest save came with five minutes remaining, as she blocked a second penalty shot by Jensen.

“Wow, 22 saves in a championship game,” Lynton said. “As a water polo coach, you probably shouldn’t put that much responsibility on someone. We put a lot on her shoulders, but she handles the pressure well.”

Larsen Jensen scored a pair of goals down the stretch, but time simply ran out for Millikan.

“A win would have been great, but just making it here was historical for our program,” Guzman said of the program’s first trip to the finals. “This group has worked hard and has been amazing to coach.”