SALT LAKE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – The mother of a Woods Cross High School soccer player who was assaulted during a game by an opponent hopes the incident will teach other athletes about the importance of sportsman ship.
The YouTube video caught an East High School soccer player kneeing Clark’s daughter in the face at a game two weeks ago. The video recently surfaced to Clark who was understandably upset.
“I just see my baby out there,” Clark said. “It makes me sick to my stomach.”
The video shows Clark’s daughter, Makenzie, roll her left ankle and fall to the ground. An East High player takes the opportunity to knee Makenzie while she’s down.
“It was a dead ball,” she said. “It was after the fact. It was after the play was over. It was a brutal, dirty shot.”
The dirty shot did not get a penalty call. Instead, the East high player walks away and is allowed to keep playing.
Clark was shocked that an official did not throw a red flag.
Makenzie had to be carried off the field because she tore a ligament in her left ankle on the same play.
Jason Olsen, Spokesman for the Salt Lake City School District, admits the East High player was wrong.
“The student said it was a very physical game,” Olsen said. “But she crossed the line when it happened.
Olsen said the player was questioned by East High School’s principal. The player owned up to her actions and apologized for her behavior.
East High School plans to use the video to teach athletes about the importance of sportsmanship.
“They want to take the video and show it to the soccer team and other teams,” he said. “We understand games get physical or emotional, but we can’t let it cross the line.”
Clark accepts the player’s apology. She hopes the player doesn’t lash out at another opponent again.
“That type of behavior is unacceptable and it has no place in sports,” she added.
East High School’s principal, athletic director and coach are discussing the player’s actions. She will likely face consequences for the incident.
The Utah High School Activities Association is also investigating the dirty shot.
