Supt: No comment on H.S. soccer brawl

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - The Superintendent of Pawtucket schools angrily refused to comment Tuesday on the brawl between Tolman and Woonsocket High Schools' girls soccer teams.

Eyewitness News approached Dr. Hans Dellith at Tuesday night's school committee meeting. When asked about Sunday night's brawl, he asked the Eyewitness News crew to leave.

The fight broke out during the final moments of the Division IV state championship game at Rhode Island College Sunday night between the Tolman Tigers and the Woonsocket Villa Novans. Woonsocket had a 5-0 lead when two girls collided, punches were thrown, and the benches cleared. The game had to be stopped with a minute left to play.

Another fight broke out in the stands between Tolman and Woonsocket fans during the post-game awards ceremony.  Both incidents were caught on camera by Eyewitness News.

"I'm not embarrassed," said Amy Breault-Zolt, a member of the Pawtucket School Committee. "These are two teenage kids, and they are both at fault."

The fight has since made national headlines, appearing on both Fox News and the CBS Early Show. Breault-Zolt said she does not think it should be getting national attention.

"It's a shame. I wished it didn't happen, but it happened," she said.

Pawtucket School Committee chairman Jim Chellel said in a statement he was "disappointed by the Superintendent's actions" at Tuesday night's meeting.

The Woonsocket School Superintendent did not return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday night.

The brawl remains under investigation by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.