LYNN — Sean Bishop didn't get through his athletic career at St. John's Prep by playing timid.
This is a kid who took on all comers while helping the Eagles win three state championships, including two in volleyball and one in soccer.
But last night's 13th Agganis All-Star Men's Soccer Classic at Manning Field looked and felt different for Bishop. He was a bit apprehensive about taking the field and wondered how he would react to contact.
"I've had a medical issue lately," Bishop, who lives in Danvers, related after his South team edged the North, 4-3, when Peabody's Jared Rizzo scored the game-winner with 2:12 left in the game. "So, yes, I was (apprehensive)."
Bishop was understandably hesitant and nervous. He was playing for the Aztecs club soccer team in the state championships in Lancaster a month ago when he suffered a concussion on a day when he had played 120 minutes.
The next day, he had a seizure after getting out of his car.
"I don't remember too much about it, but I was scared," said Bishop.
Bishop, who was the Catholic Conference Player of the Year, an EMass All-Star and a Salem News All-Star last season, had to shut it down for a month. He had doubts about playing in the Agganis Game and contemplated his soccer future at Bowdoin College.
Finally, he was cleared by a neurologist to play in the Agganis Game just a few days ago.
Fans who attended last night's game never would've detected that he'd sat out for four weeks. Bishop was his usual steady self at the sweeper position and was named the South's Defensive Player of the Game.
The postgame award was gravy for Bishop, who just wanted to get into the rhythm of a game again.
"I use my head a lot (at the sweeper position)," said Bishop. "I was thinking about the injury and if I couldn't play next year (at Bowdoin), it would've been devastating. But I felt good tonight. It was good to play with these guys again before heading off to college. These guys are awesome. We finished off with a win — Rizzo is a great player."
Lynn Tech's Prince Tchoumi, the fastest player on the field, scored two South goals and was named his team's Offensive Player of the Game. Masconomet's Kevin Van Lenten scored the goal that made it 2-1 and played brilliantly for the winners, but Rizzo's dramatic game-winner with the clock winding down made him the obvious choice for the South MVP award.
"I squandered some opportunities in the first half, to say the least, so it was good to come back like that and score the (winning) goal," said Rizzo, who is headed for the University of West Virginia, where he'll play intramurals or club soccer next year in preparation for trying out as a varsity walk-on the following year.
Rizzo's coach at Peabody High, Stan McKeen, was like a proud papa as the South coach. The Tanners' Carlos De Oliveira picked up a pair of assists and Josh Boyce also played well.
"We had our three captains out there and they all did an outstanding job," said McKeen. "But the whole team played well.
"I felt we controlled play a little more than the North did. It would've been a shame if the game had ended in a tie. Rizzo came through with a big goal at the end."
Rizzo was happy to see Bishop back to his old self on defense. The Peabody standout was aware of Bishop's situation because he also plays for the Aztecs.
"Bishop is one of the best athletes I've seen," said Rizzo. "He's good in every sport and won three state titles in high school, and I don't think we would've been in the state championship with the Aztecs without (his contribution during the season). He's just a real pure athlete."
Lynnfield's Mike Kennedy was the easy choice for North MVP after scoring all three of the team's goals. Josh Rocco of North Reading was the North Offensive Player of the Game and Beverly High goalie Brett Battistelli was the team's Defensive Player of the Game.
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The 13th Agganis All-Star Women's Classic also proved to be competitive and entertaining, with the North scoring two goals in the final 13 minutes to pull away from the South, 3-1.
Winthrop's Julie Dowson gave the North a don't-look-back 2-1 lead with 13 minutes remaining, and Bishop Fenwick's Melissa Garabedian stretched it to 3-1 with five minutes left.
Maddy Bissaillon of Bishop Fenwick, who finished with a goal and an assist, was the North MVP, Dowson was the Offensive Player of the Game, and Mandy James of Marblehead was the North's Defensive Player of the Game.
Danvers High's Casie King, who made it 1-1 in the first half with an assist from Falcons teammate Ashley Sullivan, was the South's Offensive Player of the Game. Sweeper Sara Conway from St. Mary's of Lynn was named South MVP and Kristi Rebidue of Lynn English was the team's Defensive Player of the Game.
