Colorado Soccer Player Home After `Scary` Injury

May 02—A Widefield girls' soccer player is home safe if not seriously sore after being wheeled off the field Thursday night by ambulance.

Sapphire Stark, a sophomore, was taken to Memorial Hospital by ambulance and admitted to the intensive care unit after landing on her head and suffering a concussion and spinal contusion during the Gladiators' home game against Mitchell.

Stark, who lost all feeling below her belly button for several hours, was sent home Friday to recuperate, her mother, Lisa, confirmed.

The loss of sensation was expected because of the severity of Stark's injury.

"They said that's kind of normal when there's been head trauma or a type of trauma to the body and the body reacts that way," Lisa Stark said.

A CT scan did not reveal any serious injuries, but after suffering her third concussion in a year and bruising her spine, there was definite cause for concern.

"It was pretty scary," said Lisa Stark, a health tech at Widefield.

Sapphire Stark and a Mitchell player were battling for a ball in the air when Stark got tangled up and flipped over, landing on her head.

The center referee immediately halted the game. Within a minute, coaches were on the phone calling 911.

"It's one of those freaky kind of things that unfortunately will happen once in a while," Widefield coach Bill McMaster said.

Stark did not lose consciousness, said McMaster.

"She told us a few minutes before the paramedics got there she was losing sensation in her toes," he said.

Stark was rushed from the field and admitted to the hospital within a half hour of the injury.

There, a CT scan was conducted before Stark was moved to the ICU.

"I was shocked," Lisa Stark said. "I didn't know what to think. They took me to see her once she got settled."

Lisa Stark was impressed with the care provided by the athletic trainer at the field and the trauma unit, saying nurses and doctors were extremely attentive.

The way things played out on the field also drew praise.

The head referee suggested calling the game with 6:45 left when the injury happened, and McMaster agreed.

"The center ref did a great job," said McMaster. "He called us on without hesitation."

He was also impressed with the care Mitchell coach Tom Mourning showed.

"I appreciate the Mitchell coach coming up and saying some kind words," McMaster said. "That's more important than winning or losing the game."

Mourning was startled by the collision.

"Really scary," he said.

"It's something you never want to see happen to an athlete."

Stark also plays softball and had two assists on the soccer season.

Lisa Stark was just glad to have her daughter home and safe.

"There were a lot of prayers and a lot of people concerned," Lisa Stark said.

"I know it's a blessing and probably a miracle that my daughter is up walking and talking and it not being any more serious than it ended up."

Copyright 2015 - The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)