Wichita soccer community holds vigil for victims of Stryker Sports Complex crash - RAW CHILI

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Wichita soccer community came together Sunday evening for a vigil honoring those affected by Saturday’s tragedy at Stryker Sports Complex, where a car drove through a child’s soccer game.

Two people are dead and nearly a dozen people are hurt following the crash.

At Kingdom Athletics facilities in Wichita, players, coaches, families and faith leaders gathered to heal and support one another.

Community leans on each other

“As we process this, there’s just no words that you can say that feel like enough,” one attendee said.

“I hope that Wichita can wrap their arms around each other and just pray together for McPherson and to just be all together and stay strong together,” another said.

“When something like this happens, it really doesn’t affect just one group of people it affects the whole community,” another attendee added.

Nathan Paulus, director of Mission Soccer Club and pastor at Radiant Church, told those gathered the moment was about more than the game.

“This isn’t about the scores on the weekends, this is about being there for your community and helping one another in need,” Paulus said.

Coaches recall telling young players

Some at the vigil shared what it was like in the moments that followed the crash.

Tessie Brand, a coach with Wichita Surf, described having to tell her young team play would not continue.

“And then the next thing was how do I tell 7 year olds? How do I tell my 7 year olds that we’re not gonna play today and today’s a little different than any other day?” Brand said.

Johan Guereca-Torres, also a coach with Wichita Surf, spoke about soccer’s role as a source of unity.

“Soccer brings a lot of people together, it brings a space of joy to a lot of others, people express their freedom playing it, they get their minds off of things right?” Guereca-Torres said.

Those at the vigil held everyone in their thoughts, including the driver involved as facts continue to emerge.

“As the facts come out, we’ll process together, but regardless of what happened that day, that person is human too so keep her and them in your prayers too,” Paulus said.