SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – A goalie for a high school soccer team in North Carolina has been suspended two games after knocking down a rival player Thursday night.
Pine Forest goalie Cassie Sturtz has been suspended after a video caught her leaving her feet in a full dive at a rival player from Pinecrest High School.
The incident happened at the end of the game, and the video has exploded on the web. The Pilot newspaper reported the officials took no action immediately but decided after the game that Sturtz should be suspended.
Ernie Fisher of the North Carolina Soccer Referees Association confirmed that Sturtz has been suspended. Fisher also confirmed that the incident happened right at the end of the game.
Pine Forest lost the game 4-1, and the incident happened right at the end, when Pinecrest had a breakaway at the end. The Fayetteville Observer identified the Pinecrest player as Riley Barrett.
Pine Forest went into the game undefeated.
Pinecrest Principal Robert Christina said he hopes the incident is a learning experience for the goalkeeper.
“The keeper did an outstanding job. She was an absolutely phenomenal the other night,” Christina said. “It’s too bad the decision was made that was made. But it happens. In competitive circumstances, sometimes those things do happen.”