League investigating girls soccer brawl

State athletic officials have launched an investigation after a girls' playoff soccer game ended in a wild brawl this weekend.

The dramatic scene was caught on camera by Eyewitness News Sunday night at the Rhode Island College Stadium. The Division IV state championship game between Woonsocket High School and Tolman High School of Pawtucket had to be stopped in the final minute of play when two girls collided, punches were thrown, and the benches cleared.

The Woonsocket Villa Novans had a 5-0 lead over the Tolman Tigers when the fight broke out.

Monday, Eyewitness News brought the video of the fight to the head of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League,   Tom Mezzanotte, who is now trying to determine how the blowout soccer game turned into a brawl on the field.

"At this point, the league is working with the schools to investigate and get all the information, statements from those involved... and deciding what disciplinary action, if any, will be taken," said Tom Mezzanotte, RIIL's executive director Monday.

Later, during the championship awards ceremony, another fight broke out in the stands between fans of the opposing teams. RIC security ended up clearing the stadium and sent the fans home. No arrests or injuries were reported during either brawl, though one player suffered a black eye during the on-field fight.

Woonsocket's coach says emotions were high.

"Frustrations are frustrations," said Woonsocket soccer coach Kathleen Fagnant Sunday just after the incident. "I know I pride myself and my girls on sportsmanship. And not to put a blame on anybody, it could be us too, we could have been going back and forth."

Soccer players found guilty of punching another player face at least a five game suspension by the league -- though the fall season is now over.

Eyewitness News checked with officials at both schools involved, but they're referring all requests for comment to RIIL.