Staff Report
HIGHLAND FALLS — James I. O’Neill Superintendent Debra Jackson said the school district is thinking about and praying for Sullivan West’s Kaitlyn Taylor as she recovers from a broken cheekbone suffered when O’Neill’s Maggie Borowicz punched her in the face during an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Div. IV girls’ soccer game last week.
“Our hearts go out to Kaitlyn for her recovery,” said an apologetic Jackson. “Our coaches, staff and students are concerned for her well-being.
“We have all reflected on this incident and have all learned lessons. I have personally reached out to the Sullivan West superintendent and our athletic director has been in constant contact with the Sullivan West athletic director checking on Kaitlyn’s progress.”
Jackson said O’Neill has not suspended Borowicz and she is still on the team. Borowicz was ineligible to compete in O’Neill’s two games following the attack – OCIAA rules automatically suspend a player one game for receiving a red card and two games if it’s a second red card during the season. Borowicz was red carded for her punch against Taylor and for her actions in a game earlier in the year.
Though Jackson wouldn’t say that the school imposed an additional penalty on Borowicz, she confirmed that Borowicz has not played since the Sullivan West game – four games and counting. She sat out her mandated two-game suspension and apparently the school set her down for at least another two games.
Jackson gave no indication if Borowicz will be allowed to play again this season or if she is receiving any kind of counseling, though that is normal school procedure after such acts of aggression.
Borowicz was charged by the New York State Police with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. She is scheduled to appear in Cochecton Town Court on Monday, Nov. 7.