A New Jersey high school girls lacrosse team forfeited its state sectional tournament quarterfinal game to show respect for a teammate whose family member died Friday morning, NJ.com reported.
The team, from Pascack Hills High School in Bergen County, decided not to play its game against Mahwah after the death occurred Friday morning, Athletic Director Phil Paspalas told the website.
Paspalas informed NJSIAA officials about the team's decision Friday.
"Out of respect for Mahwah and respect for all the kids involved, it was decided amongst our seniors and our players to forfeit the game," Paspalas told NJ.com. "Our kids have shown a tremendous amount of maturity, caring and perspective in this sudden situation and it reaffirms the lessons that we all value and that we want to instill in our kids."
Paspalas declined to identify the family member or the player.
Later Friday, Mahwah expressed support through the school's Twitter account: "Our condolences go out to the Pascack Hills Girls Lacrosse program from our program to yours. Be Strong."
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