To the editor:
I am writing to express my deepest concern for the exhibition of poor sportsmanship by Falmouth soccer player Jessica DiPhilipo and the coaching staff of the Falmouth girls varsity soccer team. Our team traveled down from Caribou, which is over five hours north of their school. Our team worked very hard to obtain first place in the Eastern Division for girls soccer, just as their girls worked hard to obtain first place in the Western Division.
Unfortunately, the game became much more physical than it should have been and the officials were very lenient with calls. This aside, after one of our players received a red card for a hand ball and Falmouth player No. 27 Jessica DiPhilipo made her penalty kick, she decided to taunt and jeer the Caribou girls team as well as the fans. Her bowing and mocking in front of the Caribou fans alongside of the Caribou bench was very inappropriate as were the actions of coach Meek for giving her a high five after she received a yellow card.
This behavior reflects poorly on Falmouth High School and on the girls soccer team. The rest of the girls who did not need to be the center of attention had their moment spoiled by this one girl who obviously has issues as she began blatantly pushing another one of our smaller players after she came back into the game when her time to sit out expired. She then received a red card and was banned from the last few minutes of play.
Jessica DiPhilipo was rude and physically abusive to other players. Why her coach did not reprimand her for this behavior is beyond explanation. What kind of example is coach Meek setting for the rest of his team? Is it really OK to treat others that way? Anyone with any decency and common sense would say “no.” It was said by a few disgusted Falmouth fans who expressed an apology that Jessica DiPhilipo grandparents cried when she displayed this behavior during the game. She also stripped off her undershirt down to a black bra during the contest in front of all the fans instead of discreetly removing the shirt on the sidelines. She was obviously showing off to become the center of attention. Unfortunately this girl will have hard lessons to learn when she grows up, and the adults who had a chance to teach her how to behave as a responsible adult have failed her.
Jessica DiPhilipo apparently is going to be playing in the East versus West senior all-star game, and should not be allowed to play based on her poor sportsmanship in the State playoff game and the red card she received for fighting during the State Championship Game.
Louis S. Zbylut
Caribou
