A South Dakota high school soccer player’s vicious attack on a rival has exploded on social media and left horrified viewers calling for him to be banned for life.
The disgraceful incident occurred just minutes before halftime in Friday’s match between the Brookings High School Bobcats and Rapid City Central Cobblers.
A pass was played down the left side and Kyler Soost of Brookings engaged in a shoulder to shoulder challenge with Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman as he chased it down.
Bergman came off worse and slipped, prompting him to chase Soost off the ball and shove him two-handed to the turf in a blatant foul.
But then Bergman continued his senseless attack on Soost by running over to him and kicking him on the back of the head.
As Soost started writhing in pain on the turf, Bergman stood over him and delivered five punches to his rival’s head.
A South Dakota high school soccer play shoved a rival and then kicked and punched his head
Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman lashed out at Kyler Soost of Brookings High School
Bergman then stood over Soost and delivered five punches to his head as he lay on the turf
Coaches, player and the referee rushed in while Soost’s teammate then attacked Bergman
The game was eventually suspended for 10 minutes before they resumed and Brookings won
As the punches rained down on Soost, the referee and coaches sprinted over to stop Bergman.
One of Soost’s Brookings teammates, Caylon Peters, sprinted from out of the camera shot towards Bergman and then started delivering punches of his own.
After they were separated, a coach escorted Bergman away from the field and he did not return.
One fan watching the game can be heard saying: ‘That is assault’.
The game was suspended for 10 minutes as referees tried to desperately get ahold of the situation before they continued and the Bobcats claimed a 2-0 victory.
The Daily Mail has contacted Rapid City Central High School, Rapid City Area Schools and Brookings High School for comment.
Footage of the incident quickly went viral and disgusted viewers were left furious and called for Bergman to be banned from playing soccer for life.
One shocked viewer wrote: ‘Kicked him on the back of the head… Genuinely ban that kid from playing’.
Another commented: ‘That is disgusting doing that, I agree, hope that is a lifetime ban.’
A third replied: ‘That kid in the white jersey should not ever play at his school again. What a loser.’
‘Banned for life. End of story,’ another viewer declared.
‘Banned for life and get the police involved. This kid needs time in a box to think about his life,’ another wrote.
Another stated: ‘How the coaches let the game resume is beyond me. Not a chance my team is going back out there’.
