MEDINA Youth admits soccer game assault

The case will be transferred to Trumbull County Juvenile Court.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MEDINA -- A Niles boy admitted this morning assaulting another youth during a soccer game.
Kevin Pavone, 17, appeared in Medina County Juvenile Court and changed his plea to admission. At a hearing last month, he had entered a plea of denial, the equivalent of an innocent plea in adult court.
The charge, felony assault, accused Pavone of kicking another player during a soccer match Feb. 4. The other player, Brad Delsky, 17, lost consciousness, went into convulsions and suffered a broken cheekbone, broken nose, two black eyes, chipped teeth and a concussion.
Delsky plays for the Cleveland Whitecaps, and Pavone played for the Sons of Italy of Youngstown.
The game was played at Pinnacle Field in Montrose, Ohio, and the assault occurred near the end of the game.
Court scene: Seated next to his attorney, Michael Bowler, Pavone answered, "Yes, sir," as Magistrate Roger R. Ingraham went through the details of the charge and possible penalties.
Anne Eisenhower, an assistant prosecutor in Medina County, said Pavone could be sentenced to a department of youth services facility for a year or until he is 21. He also could get probation.
The case will be sent to Trumbull County Juvenile Court for disposition or sentencing.
Deborah Pavone, Kevin's mother, declined to comment after the hearing.
Earlier Associated Press reports said that Pavone's actions followed a kick in the groin from Delsky. Linda Delsky, Brad's mother, has said her son kicked another player early in the game after being kicked twice in the chest. She doesn't know if the player her son kicked was Pavone and Brad doesn't remember the game's second half, she has said.
Reaction: Mrs. Delsky and her husband, Edward, said they were pleased that Pavone acknowledged his actions.
"I'm very happy that we've crossed this line and we're ready to move on," Edward Delsky said.
Brad did not attend this morning's hearing. His parents said he preferred to go to Solon High School, where he is a senior.
Edward Delsky said his son is just about back to normal but still has some teeth that must be repaired.
"He's really in good shape," he said.
Edward Delsky said he would like to see Pavone prohibited from playing soccer again.