Altercation during High School soccer game sparks concerns

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. -- High school sports are meant to be a fun way for kids to get involved outside of the classroom, but one high school soccer game turned violent last month at New Prairie high school.

The New Prairie Cougars were hosting South Bend Riley for its senior night when an altercation following a throw in left two players out for a game, and one with a concussion.

“She’s a tough girl. She definitely will push through this.”

This worried mom, who wishes to remain anonymous, is referring to her daughter, a soccer player at New Prairie High School.

The sophomore is the girl in the blue, in the middle of an altercation with a player from South Bend Riley, wearing white.

“You could see that they’re shoulder to shoulder.”

“The throw was in, she went to high kick the ball, she missed it, comes down, the girl looks at her and shoves her in the head. My daughter did shove her back, which we talked about that, and then when she turned to walk away she was grabbed by her neck and her hair and pulled down and hit repeatedly in the face.”

Notice in the video, the referee doesn’t do much to break up the altercation, just holding one girl back while other players pull them apart.

I spoke with Lynn Jamieson, a Professor Emerita of Indiana University, who taught Sports Management and also coached and officiated games.

In her opinion, the referee acted within the scope of his expectations.

“It’s somewhat optional. Some refs get right in there and do everything they need to. But usually, they’ll call for help.”

Jamieson also points out that athletes are required to comply with an athletic code of conduct.

“There’s a whole code of conduct, an athlete code of conduct that is part of IHSAA. This is a violation of that code and a violation of that code should result in a disciplinary action on a part of the school.”

“I just hope that somehow, someway, this doesn’t happen again.”