Suspended girls’ soccer game stirs controversy

Something was clearly wrong when Brianna Stephens remained on her back, holding her right knee, which had buckled minutes before on the grass at Strath Haven on Monday night.

But no one could do anything about it.

A Villa Joseph Marie player bent over and tended to her teammate, offering words of encouragement. Jems coach Rich Finneyfrock stood over Stephens, a freshman, and watched. The officials looked around. The Strath Haven coaches came out to the field, but they didn't have any answers.

There was no licensed trainer present at the game.

And that's when the game entered a gray area that no coaches, players or onlookers ever want to see.

"Honestly, we're putting the girls at risk," Finneyfrock said. "And we're putting the coaches at risk. If we continue playing and a child got hurt, [the parents] could come after us because we're showing negligence. I'm unwilling to do that."

Finneyfrock told the officials he would not allow his team to play the remainder of the game, believing that the PIAA required all home teams to have a trainer available for contact sports. The two officials assigned to the game also said that was their understanding of the rules. The game was suspended.

But, according to the PIAA, that was an incorrect ruling.

Strath Haven's coaches opposed suspending the game, correctly claiming there is no PIAA rule that states an athletic trainer must be on site. Strath Haven usually has a trainer for all of its contact sports, but the usual one was unavailable because he was attending his grandfather's funeral, athletic director Chip Carroll said.

Now, Villa Joseph Marie, which defeated Merion Mercy, 6-1, Tuesday, could face a forfeit because Finneyfrock pulled his team off the field.

"We have recommended guidelines for medical coverage at an event, but we do not mandate that," said Melissa Mertz, assistant executive director of the PIAA. "So Strath Haven is technically right in that sense.

"Because Strath Haven wasn't in any violation of PIAA rules, it's probably going to end up having to be a forfeit on the part of Villa Joseph Marie for their refusal to play."

District One chairman Bob Ruoff said Tuesday that he was conducting an investigation into why the game was improperly suspended. Until then, the game remains in limbo.

Mike Crampsey, one of the two officials who worked the game, said he planned to file a report with the PIAA. Crampsey, who said he had officiated in the PIAA for six years, said he had never encountered a situation like this before.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Carroll said he had not decided whether Strath Haven would actively pursue a forfeit.

"I don't know if it would serve any purpose," Carroll said.

Carroll said Villa Joseph Marie's athletic director, Joe Levins, was informed earlier in the day that Strath Haven would not have a trainer. But Finneyfrock said he did not know there was no trainer when the game started. Levins said he will abide by whatever the District One and PIAA investigations find.

"It's a shame because the girls were playing great on both sides," Strath Haven coach Gino Miraglia said. "It would have been a great game to see finish. It's a shame it had to end like this."

Stephens went down with 3 minutes, 38 seconds left in the first half and the game tied, 1-1. Villa Joseph Marie, 11-0-1 and ranked third in this week's Inquirer Top 10, was being tested early by a talented Panthers team.

"Not to say anything about Rich," Miraglia said, "he's a great guy, but the No. 2 team in the state facing a wave of momentum at the time . . . "

Finneyfrock deflected any notion that his motivations were elsewhere.

"I will gladly reschedule the game, pick it up from where we stopped, start over, I don't care," Finneyfrock said. "I'll come during the day. I'll come at night. I don't care."

Finneyfrock said Stephens' knee injury was "very serious." With no other options, Stephens was carried over to the Jems' bench, and an assistant coach propped her injured right knee on top of a backpack. Stephens' teammates came over and helped put sweatshirts and coats on her as blankets to keep her warm.

"It was chaotic," Finneyfrock said.

The PIAA's Mertz said the organization had discussions a few years ago about requiring trainers at contact sporting events, but the response from schools was that not all could afford it. Mertz said not having proper medical coverage at an event is not a complaint the PIAA office often hears.

And in this case, a series of unfortunate events led to an amplification of the issue.

"There's not a right or wrong," said Central Bucks East boys' coach Mike Gorni, who is entering his 15th year. "If a player goes down, the most important thing is how that player is doing. The safety of the player is always first."

Faced with that situation, Gorni said, it is up to the coach to make the choice as to whether to continue playing. Finneyfrock said his decision was easy - although it could cost his team.

"I'm not going to risk any child getting hurt over my competitive nature," Finneyfrock said. "It's not worth it."