South River High School’s varsity boys soccer team will forfeit its first four wins this season due to the participation of an ineligible player.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools imposed the penalties after investigating the case, which came to light last month. The school’s administration discovered the issue and reported it appropriately and immediately. The student-athlete has not participated in athletic contests since the issue was discovered.
The investigation resulted in penalties against the school and a student-athlete. The student-athlete involved is ineligible to participate in athletics for a period of 60 school days. While state law mandates the forfeit of victories in any game in which an ineligible player participated, the school system’s investigation found no wrongdoing by members of the South River High School staff and no prior knowledge of the situation before it was discovered and reported.
While the change in record will alter the varsity team’s postseason seeding in the current season, it will not keep South River out of the state playoffs. Under Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Administration rules, all varsity boys soccer teams qualify for the playoffs.