UB soccer player charged with assault

Danielle Puddefoot, a University of Bridgeport soccer player was charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Puddefoot is accused of head-butting a teammate after she was passed over for a good sportsmanship award. less Danielle Puddefoot, a University of Bridgeport soccer player was charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Puddefoot is accused of head-butting a teammate after she was passed over for a good ... more Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close UB soccer player charged with assault 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT -- A member of the University of Bridgeport women's soccer team attacked members of her team in a drunken rage after she was passed over for an award, police said.

Danielle Puddefoot, a forward on the soccer team, is accused of head-butting Hailey Marquis before she was restrained by other players, police said.

Puddefoot, 22, of Slough, England, was charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, and released after posting $1,000 bond.

Police said several players told them they had been drinking on April 30, prior to the sports awards banquet at the university. During the banquet, player Nicola Worthington received the coach's player award, which upset Puddefoot, who police said began complaining that she was a senior and hadn't won any awards in her four years on the team.

Police said Puddefoot, who other players described as being very drunk, left the banquet early. Meanwhile, several of the other team members went to a dormitory room at Seeley Hall to continue the celebration.

Sometime later, police said Puddefoot entered the dorm room and began berating the other players. She then head-butted the 18-year-old Marquis with such force that it knocked the startled girl over two chairs and onto the floor, police said.

Puddefoot then began slamming her own head against the wooden wardrobe closets in the room. When another player tried to stop her, Puddefoot shoved that girl into a wall, police said.

The other teammates managed to finally get Puddefoot into the hallway where police said she began slamming her head against doors and the concrete walls until she passed out.

Police said Marquis, who had significant swelling on the right side of her face and two black eyes, was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center for treatment.