Two 18-Year-Olds Charged After Violence at Worcester High School Soccer Game
Last Monday, violence erupted at a Worcester high school soccer game between South High Community School and Doherty Memorial High School, leading to assault and battery charges against two 18-year-olds. The incident occurred when the soccer ball went out of bounds during the game, and one player from South High kicked an opposing player from Doherty Memorial in the chest and face, as captured on cell phone video.
Alteo Spaho, a Doherty Memorial High School soccer player, recalled the shocking moment when his teammate was kicked in the head, stating, “I just heard him getting kicked in the back of the head. It was kind of shocking.” The video footage then showed players running off the field and into the stands, escalating the violence further.
Davin Grace, the captain of the Doherty Memorial team, spoke out about the incident, emphasizing that there was no prior conflict between the two teams before the attack occurred. He expressed his disappointment in the unfair penalties his team received for defending their teammate, ultimately leading to their loss in the game. Grace stated, “After he gets kicked, everyone tries to defend him. It did get a little crazy and hectic.”
Students at the school, including Riley Campbell and Bryan Ngunjiri, expressed their surprise at the sudden outbreak of violence during a soccer game. Campbell, a sophomore at South High Community School, mentioned that her friend’s brother, who played on the team, witnessed the altercation and described it as unexpected. Ngunjiri, also a sophomore, echoed this sentiment, noting that such fights were uncommon in soccer games.
Katelyn Kelley, a concerned parent with a daughter attending South High, emphasized the importance of good sportsmanship and condemned the violent behavior displayed by the students. She stated, “I have a daughter that attends South, and I wouldn’t want this happening to her. Absolutely not. It’s uncalled for. I think these kids have a lot of growing up to do.”
In response to the incident, Worcester Public Schools issued a statement addressing the disciplinary actions taken against the students involved in the altercation. The statement highlighted that both schools were taking appropriate measures to address the situation, including potential involvement of law enforcement. Despite the unfortunate incident, the district confirmed that the soccer seasons for both schools would continue as scheduled.
The aftermath of the violent episode at the Worcester high school soccer game serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play in competitive sports. It also underscores the need for proper conflict resolution strategies and disciplinary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the community reflects on this troubling event, it is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and well-being of student-athletes and uphold the values of sportsmanship both on and off the field.
