A Peekskill High School varsity soccer match was halted Friday night, Sept. 12, after a player suffered a serious medical emergency.
Less than two minutes into the second half of a home game against Haldane, team captain Melvin Criollo collapsed while challenging for a cross. When he did not get up, coaches, staff, and family rushed onto the field, and play stopped as an ambulance was called. Criollo was taken from the field, and the game was not resumed. Players from both teams watched in stunned disbelief.
Criollo, a senior and one of Peekskill’s most promising players, had been featured on Lohud’s preseason watchlist for boys’ soccer. He was expected to be a key force for the team this fall.
In a statement released Saturday, Peekskill Athletics said:
“Our Peekskill community is deeply saddened by a serious medical emergency that took place last night at our high school soccer game. Out of respect for the student and family, details will not be shared at this time. We ask everyone to keep our player, his family, and the team in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”
Criollo had been leading a strong bounce-back performance for the Red Devils before his injury. After opening the season with a scoreless draw against Byram Hills and a 2–0 loss to Walter Panas, Peekskill surged to a 4–0 lead over Haldane in the first half. Haldane pulled one back just before the break.
As of publication, Peekskill Athletics has not announced whether the remainder of the Sept. 12 game will be completed at a later date.
Criollo’s family and friends are now rallying around him. Grupo Solidario Tarqui Inc. launched a GoFundMe to support his recovery, saying he had sustained a traumatic brain injury during the match and is currently hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
The GoFundMe’s description reads: “His parents are now fully focused on his recovery, staying by his side every step of the way. At this time, any support makes a big difference. On behalf of Grupo Solidario Tarqui Inc., along with his family and friends, we are praying for Melvin’s full recovery. We hope to see him once again as the joyful, energetic young man he is, sharing his passion and talent for soccer – the sport he truly loves.”
As of Monday, Sept. 15, the fundraiser has raised $8,335 toward its $11,000 goal.
