Focus on fun fuels Fontein

Sierra Vista goalkeeper Andrew Fontein has a philosophy that's simple and complex at the same time. Focus, but don't overdo it. Have fun, but be serious.

It's a philosophy that has made him hugely successful for the Lions this season.

In 12 games, he's allowed two goals. He had a string of six consecutive shutouts end Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to Bishop Gorman.

"I take it serious but not too serious," Fontein said. "You want to enjoy it and everything that you're doing. Make sure you stay focused, but I think it's important that you don't overfocus and get too stressed about stuff, because then you don't perform.

"It's good to be relaxed and calm and just play the game."

Fontein's 10 shutouts have helped the Lions go 7-1-4 overall and 4-1-3 in the Southwest Division. And those shutouts have been especially important for Sierra Vista, which hasn't been the most explosive offensive team. The Lions have 23 goals in 12 games, with seven of those coming against Liberty. The Lions have been shut out five times.

"He's the anchor of our team," Sierra Vista coach Ryan Quinn said. "Basically, everything goes through him.

"He's the key to our defense. He runs it and organizes it. And our success back there is attributable to him."

Fontein is vocal, directing and encouraging the team's defensive players. He's quick to call for someone to pick up an open opponent, quick to adjust a defender's positioning.

He said that's as much a part of the goalkeeper's job as making saves. In fact, Fontein said, talking and directing the defense probably is the most important part of his duties.

"A lot is physical and your technique and stuff, but mainly the game, especially from my position, is just organizing the game and talking to everyone and making sure everything is set up well.

"The less shots that you can get on yourself, the better goalkeeper you can be."

Not that Fontein is shy about making saves. He's scored two goals this season, both on penalty kicks, but prefers stopping shots to making them.

"I always ask Quinn to let me play up top and stuff," Fontein said. "But when it comes down to it, I like playing goalie. I don't think any other position is like it.

"All the pressure's on you, and there's nothing like when you make a big save and everyone's in awe."

Fontein has had his share of awe-inspiring moments this season. He pointed to a string of saves in the final 10 minutes to preserve Sierra Vista's 0-0 tie with Clark.

Quinn remembers one particular save in that game that stood out to him.

"The cross came in from his left, and the guy was just wide open, hit a perfect header down and away to the far post, and he just reacted and made the save," Quinn said. "And then he got up and was in position to make the second save, but the shot went wide."

Fontein said game-saving deflections are nice but are just part of the job.

"It kind of feels good, but then again, it's more like what I'm supposed to do," Fontein said. "That's why I'm there. And I'd feel like an idiot if I didn't do that."

Fontein has spent plenty of time honing his skills. He played with South Coast Bayern from California over the summer, taking a trip to Ireland with the team for the Milk Cup.

He also participated in a U.S. Olympic Development training camp in Oregon.

Quinn said Fontein's Sierra Vista teammates look up to the goalkeeper and what he's accomplished at other levels of soccer.

"He brings so much experience, and the other guys see it and feed off it," Quinn said. "He makes the other guys around him better players."

Fontein, who carries a weighted 4.29 grade-point average, said he's narrowing down his college choices and would like to play somewhere in Southern California. He wants to major in business.

"But I'm hoping that it doesn't really matter what I major in," Fontein said. "I definitely want to go pro with soccer.

"I don't want to work in an office. I want to play soccer every day."

Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-4587.