For Peekskill High School senior Melvin Criollo, September 12, 2025, is a blur. 

If not for a video his father recorded, the 16-year-old soccer standout wouldn’t remember what led to the medical emergency that halted Peekskill’s home game against Haldane that night. 

 “I blinked and I woke up in a hospital bed,” Criollo said in an interview with the Peekskill Herald.

The moment came just two minutes into the second half. Peekskill was leading 4-1 when Criollo leapt to challenge for a cross. A slight nudge caused him to head the ball awkwardly and crash to the ground, unable to brace his fall. When he didn’t get up, coaches, teammates, and family rushed to the field as an ambulance was called. The game was never resumed.

“I didn’t think it was something serious until I got to him,” said his mother, Liliana Merchan. “We tried to move him, we called his name – nothing. He wouldn’t wake up.”

Criollo suffered a traumatic brain injury and a seizure on the field. He was rushed to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he briefly fell into a coma.

“The left side of my head hurt a lot when I woke up,” recalled Criollo. 

Doctors initially warned that Criollo might require surgery, but as the days passed, he responded well to medication and avoided an operation that had once seemed inevitable.

Though he regained full consciousness two days later, doctors told the family he would never remember the play that changed his season – and his life.

A slow but steady recovery

Criollo spent a week in the hospital before returning home on Sept. 19. The first few days were rough – his vision blurred with every step, and dizziness forced him to rest around the clock. Now, he’s on daily medication, including two arm injections, and has begun physical and speech therapy.

“Day by day I’m getting better – thank God,” said Criollo.

He recently celebrated a small victory: walking two miles. “It’s going to take time, but I’ll get back on my feet,” he said.

Though doctors are optimistic about his long-term recovery, his senior season is officially over. Criollo had entered 2025 as one of the Lohud Boys Soccer Preseason Watchlist selections and hoped to earn All-League or All-Section honors for the first time.

“It sucks – just like that, it’s over,” he said. “I really wanted to ball out this season.”

Community rallies around Criollo

As Criollo fought through recovery, the Peekskill community rallied in force. Grupo Solidario Tarqui Inc. launched a GoFundMe to support his recovery, raising $28,663 of its $30,000 goal as of Oct. 9. From parents to players, from classmates to rival schools, support poured in for the senior captain who had become a symbol of resilience overnight.

When Peekskill returned to play on Sept. 16, players and coaches wore “Fuerza Melvin” (“Strength Melvin”) shirts and posed for a group photo in solidarity. That same day, Haldane dedicated its home match against Valhalla to Criollo as well.

“I was very surprised that people donated,” Criollo said. “I felt so loved. It means a lot to me.”

During this difficult time, Peekskill Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio, Athletic Director Austin Goldberg, and many teammates, coaches, and friends visited Criollo in the hospital and at home. He’s amassed a collection of teddy bears from well-wishers – a visual reminder of how many people care

“I am so grateful to all the people who came to visit him and for their words of encouragement,” said Merchan. “Thanks to God, we have our son here at home.”

Family strength and new dreams

Criollo’s injury has tested his family’s strength in ways they never imagined. Thankfully, he’s had a support system at home that surrounds him with love and care.

His parents, Liliana Merchan and Luis Criollo, stayed by his side around the clock during his hospital stay, balancing care for Melvin and their newborn son, Aiden. After weeks of being by his side, his father recently returned to work.

For his younger brother, Dilan, 11, the scare was especially hard.

“He told me he thought I was going to die,” Melvin said. “He was scared – he’d never seen an ambulance carry someone away.”

Now home, Criollo spends most days resting, doing therapy, and being aided by his mother. As of right now, Criollo has not been cleared to return to Peekskill High School. His neurologist will determine when he can safely return to school.

Physically, he’s still rebuilding strength – having dropped from 145 pounds to 125 pounds during his hospital stay – but emotionally, he’s more determined than ever.

“The goal is to get back to my old self,” he said. Criollo, who has played since age 4 and joined the Peekskill varsity soccer program as a freshman in 2022, now dreams of one day playing in college – or pursuing a career in welding.

“May God bless all the people who have shown us love and support. My husband and I are very grateful” said Merchan. “Through this, we’ve come to know so many kind people.”

Back on the Sidelines

Though his cleats and shinguards are shelved for now, Criollo has started attending Peekskill games to cheer on his teammates from the bleachers. His goal is to be present for Senior Night later this month.

Although the captain’s leadership now looks a little different, his influence and fight continues to inspire a city that proudly chants one phrase: “Fuerza Melvin.”