Taking Their Shot: Mila’s Journey Across States for One Big Dream

Would you fly across state lines every weekend — year after year — just to keep your dream alive?

Mila Russo does. And she has for nearly four years.

Episode two of Taking Their Shot soccer invites us into Mila’s world — one defined by schoolwork, family responsibilities, and a weekly flight from Gilbert, Arizona to Southern California. Not for leisure. Not for vacation. But for soccer — the kind that demands sacrifice and rewards only the most relentless.

The Girl Behind the Game

On paper, Mila checks every box of a rising star: a 2023 3A State Champion, a standout student in the National Honor Society, a defender with the speed and strength to lock down attackers twice her size.

But who she is — that’s what makes her unforgettable.

She’s calm when chaos builds. And while she’s naturally quiet, the moment she steps into the back line, everyone feels her command.

“I’m definitely competitive,” Mila says with a grin. “I want to win… and have a presence on the field.”

Her coach, Lindsey Huie — a former U.S. Women’s National Team player and two-time NCAA national champion — sees in Mila the kind of brilliance that doesn’t shout… it leads.

“Mila Russo is spectacular,” Huie says. “She’s actually an outside back semi-converted to center back. She loves to go forward and she can be dangerous on the attack. And so that gives her an added level of versatility. Honestly.”

That versatility is exactly why Huie believes Mila has something college coaches can’t ignore.

“Mila is spectacular,” she adds again later. “Her versatility is dangerous. She rarely panics. She commands. She’s brave. She’s confident.”

A Player Who Goes the Distance — Literally

While most teens spend weekends resting, studying, or hanging with friends, Mila is packing, flying, playing, and flying right back:

“On Fridays we normally fly out and then we get here late Friday, eat some food, and then we have games,” Mila shares. “Most of the time, we’ll fly back out right after the games.”

That schedule would overwhelm many — but Mila keeps her focus on growth.

She’s also the only junior (Class of 2027) on a roster of 2026 seniors. That means scouts often overlook her simply because they assume she’s not yet in the recruiting cycle.

“She’s been passed over not because she lacks talent,” Huie explains, “but because they don’t realize she’s in a different grade.”

Still, Mila continues to take her shot. Every week.

Strength You Can’t Measure in Stats

Behind her fire, there’s a story that makes her determination even more extraordinary.

Mila’s brother has faced health challenges for almost a decade. When doctors determined a bone marrow transplant might help him — Mila stepped up.

“It was about a two-day, eight-hour procedure,” she says softly. “Two days later, we had Surf Cup… and I played.”

Because to Mila, commitment is a promise you keep — to your team, your family, yourself.

“About 90% of it is mental,” she adds. “But I know what I’m capable of.”

Coach Lindsey sees where that strength comes from — and where it can take her.

The Team Behind the Dream

Opportunity isn’t always accessible — especially in a system where visibility often depends on zip code, club dues, and what doors you already know how to knock on.

That’s where ACCESS U Foundation enters Mila’s story — offering academic guidance, leadership development, and college-readiness support for student-athletes who dream big but face barriers.

Through ACCESS U, Mila is connected with Gritness, Coach Lindsey’s specialized college-recruitment mentorship program, designed to help players communicate with college coaches, build exposure, and confidently navigate one of the most intimidating parts of the journey.

Together, ACCESS U and Gritness form a powerful partnership — the structure behind Mila’s belief, and the bridge between her present and the future she’s building.

What Comes Next

The next step is the Phoenix College Showcase, her chance to finally be seen with clear eyes. Over 150 schools could be watching — and Coach Lindsey is confident that if they give Mila even a moment, they’ll understand.

“Players like Mila steer the game,” she says. “They set the tone. They see everything. She steps into that leader role naturally.”

“I’m definitely excited,” Mila says. “I want college coaches to see what I can do. What we can do as a team.”

The goal: a D1 commitment by December.

And Huie has zero doubt:

“Mila’s capable of being a professional player.”