A Dothan soccer player remained in the intensive care unit of a Columbus, Ga., hospital on Sunday night while being treated for multiple lacerations on his right kidney suffered during the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over Smiths Station on Friday night.
Marcus Smith, a senior goalkeeper for the Tigers, was injured late in the first half of Friday’s game at Smiths Station when he collided with an opposing player.
“Because of the multiple lacerations, he had some internal bleeding,” his mother, Deanna Smith said on Sunday. “He hasn’t been pain free yet, and isn’t totally aware of what’s going on. He’s slowly improving.”
No surgery is planned at this time, but Smith is expected to remain in Columbus Regional Hospital at least through this week.
Smith underwent a blood transfusion early Sunday morning to get his blood levels back up.
Dothan soccer coach Ben Turvin said Smith was injured while coming out of goal as an opponent was charging in.
“He (Smith) was going for the ball and they collided,” Turvin said. “He had a hard time breathing and had lower back pain.”
Smiths Station had an athletic trainer on site, and it was suggested Smith be taken to a hospital in nearby Phenix City. His parents were in attendance at the game, and drove him to the hospital.
“Actually, it happened so quickly — it’s such an aggressive sport — we didn’t think that much of it until he didn’t get up,” Deanna Smith said.
Emergency personnel first believed he suffered a lacerated liver, but test results indicated it was his kidney which took the blow. Smith was then transported by ambulance to the Columbus hospital.
Deanna Smith and her husband, Aaron, want to thank the people of the Wiregrass for their support and prayers.
“The support has been phenomenal,” Deanna Smith said.
Turvin has been in regular contact with the family by phone, and athletic director and head football coach Kelvis White made a trip to the hospital on Saturday.
Smiths Station soccer coach Jeff Carrero also visited the family on Sunday.
“He expressed his concern and said everyone has been in prayer for Marcus,” Mrs. Smith said. “He offered to help us with anything we needed.”
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