Vandals Cut Nets Out of Park's Soccer Goals

The target of any youth soccer player with the ball and a breakaway became the target of vandals this week in Dalton, Ga.

As reported by NBC affiliate WRCB in Chattanooga, Tenn., police are investigating vandalism of the soccer goals at Lakeshore Park in Dalton, a soccer town where the cutting out of nets was seen as disrespectful to many.

"A lot of our kids are involved in the soccer programs in the city," said Jeff McKinney, assistant principal and athletic director at Dalton High School, a soccer powerhouse. "They have a lot of leagues that play, so a lot of those kids go out there and play.”

Dalton High's boy's team has won six state titles and will pursue its third straight this spring. McKinney says many current and former students still utilize the affected field.

“A lot of our kids play soccer at Dalton State and they're using that field now for their games, and they have to replace those nets and any time you replace it costs money," McKinney said. "If something happens and they have to replace stuff, they're having to take that money they could spend on something else,"

The Dalton State men's team is currently ranked 13th in the NAIA. The Roadrunners are scheduled to play a home game at Lakeshore Park on Saturday at 1 p.m.