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| Two players removed from girls' soccer team By Mark Foyer [ markf@hmbreview.com ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:41 PM PST Half Moon Bay High School lost more than just two Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division girls' soccer matches last week - it lost two players as well. The school administration, still stinging from a PAL sanction earlier this month, took swift action aimed at restoring the school's beleaguered reputation. A fight broke out late in the first half of Thursday's 1-0 loss to Westmoor. Two players from Half Moon Bay, Stephanie Garcia and Andrea Huerta, were subsequently removed from the team for the rest of the season as punishment for their part in the fight. The two are barred from attending any of Half Moon Bay's remaining soccer matches for the rest of the season. In addition, the pair was suspended from class for five days. The team also forfeited Tuesday's match with Hillsdale. The decision came Friday afternoon following a meeting between coach Magi Mata and school Principal Susan Million. The team was notified of the decision Tuesday. Mata and Million decided the team needed the day to digest the consequences. As a result, Half Moon Bay forfeited its match Tuesday. The Cougars are scheduled to play at Mills today and Jefferson Thursday. "This sends a clear message to our students and the Peninsula Athletic League that we take discipline matters seriously," Million said. "Magi was OK with the decision," she added. Mata couldn't be reached for comment Monday. The incident came a week after a PAL Board of Managers meeting at which Half Moon Bay was criticized for its handling of matters following a football game with Sequoia in November. The issues that night stemmed largely from off-the-field incidents. Following the fight at the soccer game, Million sent a letter of apology to Westmoor and PAL commissioner Terry Stogner. Mata was frustrated and upset Thursday. "Why is this happening?" Mata said to anyone listening moments after the match resumed Thursday. Mata made it a point of emphasis in her postgame meeting with the team that the behavior was not acceptable. Westmoor scored early in the second half to win. In one other match last week, Half Moon Bay fell to league-leading South San Francisco, 2-1. Half Moon Bay is also without the services of Felica Herron for the rest of the season, due to a broken leg. |