Prep All-Star Soccer : Goalie Shows He’s Back, Saves Win

When Bryan Fisher was burned in an automobile accident two months ago, he thought his soccer career was in jeopardy.

But Fisher, a goalkeeper from Villa Park High School, proved he is back in top form Friday night. He stopped two penalty shots to lead high school all-stars from the 714 area code to an overtime victory against a team from 213 area code in front of 700 at St. Francis High School in La Canada.

The teams tied, 3-3, in regulation. In this all-star format, the teams went straight to penalty kicks rather than overtime. Each team converted four of five penalty kicks, setting up a sudden-death penalty kick. Fisher then made a diving save of a shot by Mario Ramirez of Lakewood.

Brian Hoey of El Modena then put a shot past 213 goalie Jonah Goldstein of Santa Monica for the victory.

And Fisher, whose Villa Park career ended when the Spartans lost to Long Beach Wilson on penalty kicks in the second round of the Southern Section 3-A playoffs, had something to prove.

Fisher said he thought his career might be hindered after the accident, which left him with burn scars on his shoulders and back. “There’s no doubt it didn’t slow me down too much tonight. I’m back.”

Manny Toledo, the 714 coach from Brea-Olinda High School, said he inserted Fisher in the second half, replacing Mike Collins from Alta Loma, because he wanted Fisher in the game if it went to penalty kicks.

“I was aware he was good on penalty kicks, even though they lost that game in CIF,” Toledo said. “The ball comes so fast that you just have to guess. He can really predict. It worked out pretty well.”

The 714 team took a 2-0 lead as Aaron Thomas from Alta Loma scored two minutes into the game, and Mike Kundren of Cypress scored 12 minutes later.

Toledo said it is easier for offensive players to familiarize themselves on an all-star team.

“I told the guys we’re going to go out there and play offensively,” Toledo said.

The 213 team scored on a penalty kick by Memo Kahan of Beverly Hills with two minutes left in the first half and tied the score on a goal by Fabrizio Luppi from Venice with 17 minutes left.

The 714 team took at 3-2 lead with 15 minutes left on a goal by Danny Garcis.

Armando Zapata of Culver City tied the score with 40 seconds left on a free kick.

The 714 team will play a team from the 805 area code team, which defeated a team from the 818 code, 4-2, at 3:15 p.m. Sunday at Cal State Northridge.