A South Dakota high school soccer match turned violent on Friday when a player was seen kicking and punching an opponent in the head, sparking outrage across social media and calls for criminal charges.
The Incident on the Field
The confrontation happened during a season opener between Rapid City Central and Brookings High School, played in Brookings.
With just under four minutes left in the first half, Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman and Brookings’ Kyle Soost chased the same ball near the sideline and collided. Bergman slipped and fell to the ground, then got up and shoved Soost hard with both hands, sending him to the turf.
What followed shocked everyone watching. Bergman ran over and kicked Soost in the back of the head as he lay on the ground. He then punched Soost five times in the head while standing over him. Soost’s teammate, Caylon Peters, rushed in and threw punches at Bergman before officials managed to separate the players.
A coach pulled Bergman off the field, and he did not return to the match. Play was halted for roughly ten minutes before resuming.
Brookings won the game 2 to 0, a result that had already been decided before the fight broke out. Rapid City Central returned to action the next day and lost 7 to 0 to Watertown.
Public Outcry and Calls for Punishment
Video of the attack, first shared by South Dakota preps reporter Matt Kerney, spread rapidly online and drew furious reactions from fans and parents. Many viewers labeled the attack far more serious than a routine sports scuffle, with some insisting it met the definition of assault.
Commenters flooded social media demanding consequences. Some called for Bergman to receive a lifetime ban from soccer, while others wanted police involvement and criminal charges pursued. It has not been reported whether police are looking into the incident, and neither school has issued a formal statement addressing potential discipline.
The episode has reignited broader frustration about physical aggression in youth sports, with several commenters online claiming similar incidents happen more often than schools acknowledge.
For now, it remains unclear whether Bergman will face suspension from his team, school discipline, or any legal consequences as the video continues to circulate widely.
