Prairie Seeds Academy – Totino-Grace Section Final Ends in Melee; Unfortunate Ending to a Great Game
The #1 seeded Prairie Seeds Academy Lycans took on the #2 seed Totino-Grace Eagles on Thursday night at Maple Grove High School in the section 5A final. The game would determine who would make it through to the Minnesota State High School Leagues soccer tournament. (Video after the break)
The matchup had all the makings of a great game. Totino-Grace, who had become a near-regular in the tournament, was ousted from the competition last year by Prairie Seed Academy (PSA) in the sectional final. And by all accounts this year’s match was outstanding with a narrow 2-1 lead by PSA heading into the closing minutes of the match. But with time winding down it all went wrong when a PSA player took exception with his Totino-Grace opponent. He lashed out in anger and punched the Totino-Grace player in the face which spurred a melee. In the video taken by Northwest Community TV Channel 12 who was there covering the match, you can see Totino-Grace head coach Bill Vance, who is well respected in the soccer community, steps in to put his own player in a bear hug to try to stop the fight. But as he does he is punched in the side of the head by the PSA goalkeeper who was also caught on tape kicking a Totino-Grace player who was laying on the ground.
The Maple Grove police were called in and are now investigating possible assault charges but nothing had been filed as of Friday. The Minnesota State High School League is also investigating the matter and will have a meeting on Monday when they hear the stories of coaches, referees and school administrators. A Totino-Grace player did need several stitches.
Northwest Community Television Channel 12 was there broadcasting the game and they tell the story here.
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