"When you get to these games in this level in this tournament, every game is a dogfight."
Indeed, Sylmar goalie Irvin Rodriguez did preserve his team's win, and then some.
In the second overtime period, he had four saves and in the shootout he stopped two Indian shots before kicking the game-winner.
Indian freshman keeper Andre Yanez was able to stop one kick, but it wasn't enough on Saturday. Somehow, the heroics of Burroughs forward Justin Zepeda weren't enough, either.
The 6-foot-3 senior scored the game's first goal in the first minute. After Sylmar tied the score later in the half, Zepeda added his second unassisted goal to lead the Indians (5-1-1) to a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Zepeda, shooting last, also converted his kick in the shootout.
Zepeda's first-half efforts were soon overshadowed by a manic second half, though.
The 45th minute saw a controversial penalty kick awarded to Sylmar (4-0-2) that tied it at 2.
Burroughs answered in the 65th minute. Junior defender Rudy Nava booted a direct kick and Yader Arita put in the rebound
In penalty kicks, junior midfielder Chris Hernandez and junior forward Carlos Navarro converted Burroughs' second and fourth attempts, respectively, before Zepeda's kick.
Westlake 4, Burroughs 1: The Indians fell Monday in the third-place match of the 14th annual Ralph Brandt Tournament at St. Francis High.
Justin Zepeda scored Burroughs' lone goal on an assist from Hector Hidalgo midway through the first half..
Zepeda and Rudy Nava were named to the all-tournament team.
