Fitch player life-flighted to hospital after injury

Erica Bortmas said this morning she expects to play Saturday.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Austintown Fitch High sophomore soccer player Erica Bortmas was life-flighted by helicopter to the emergency ward at St. Elizabeth Health Center due to injuries occurred during the Falcons' tournament game at Canfield.
Bortmas, 15, was back at home this morning, saying that she had neck soreness.
"It's really sore moving my head from side-to-side or up and down," said Bortmas, who plans on playing the Falcons' game against North Canton Hoover, pending approval from her parents.
Bortmas, a sweeper, said a Canfield player wrapped her legs around her and then shoved her body into her. When Bortmas flipped to the ground, her collarbone hit first, then she heard a snap in her neck.
"I lost feeling in my hands and legs for a minute," said Bortmas. "I thought I was paralyzed." The tangling happened with 15 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the game.
Where it happened
When Bortmas went down in the Fitch goalie's box the game was suspended for almost an hour.
After being attended to by team medical staff, Canfield police and ambulance personnel, a decision was made to call in a helicopter.
"She had an excellent game," said Canfield coach Jon Ulicney. "She's one of the reasons why we were having a very hard time scoring and she just did a terrific job for her team."
"I think they just pretty much took her for precautionary reasons," said Fitch coach Carlo Trafficante.
Fitch sophomore Jodi Bowlen, who scored five first-half goals, said the team found inspiration when they saw Bortmas placed in the helicopter.
"That made us work harder because they made us mad when they did that. We just hope she's back for Saturday."
The Falcons will play Hoover in the district final at 7 p.m.