Needham soccer players accused of hazing

NEEDHAM, Mass. -- Several high school soccer players have been sidelined after they were accused of hazing some younger teammates.

The Needham girls' varsity soccer team played under a light drizzle and heavy criticism Tuesday night.

The school suspended five members of their team as well as the coach because of an alleged hazing incident, which occurred on Oct. 29. Now the father of one of the 9th graders who was allegedly hazed is defending the girls who were suspended.

"My daughter is one of the freshman girls. She loves these seniors, supports these seniors, and is mortified that in any way these seniors are harmed, their college careers are harmed," said Todd White, a parent.

VIEWER VOICES: Should the parents of the Needham High School students have gotten involved in the alleged hazing case?

White said his daughter got a pie thrown in her face, but no one was hurt. He said that it was not hazing, but a misguided attempt at teambuilding. He said that all players, including under and upperclassmen and their parents thought that the suspension of those five players was too harsh.

“The consequences of the investigation were infinitely more harmful than anything that any of these kids went through,” said White.

The parents went to a judge, trying to overturn the girls’ suspension, and let them play in Tuesday’s state tournament against Brockton, but the judge denied the request.

The Needham School Superintendent issued a statement: “The Needham High School Community is saddened about the recent events involving the girls’ soccer team. The high school administration, staff, students and families urge the local Needham community to support our team as they face Brockton tonight.”

Brockton ended up beating Needham 7 to 1. Meanwhile, the school and the Needham police are investigating the incident.

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