Annapolis native Zachary Krissoff, the starting goalkeeper for the Salisbury University men's lacrosse team, was suspended for the remainder of the season after being arrested on Saturday and charged with vandalism.
Krissoff and Riley Clark, the backup goalie at Salisbury, turned themselves into the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office on Saturday. Police had issued arrest warrants for the two players. After an initial appearance before the District Court Commissioner, Krissoff and Clark were held on $20,000 bond.
Salisbury head coach Jim Berkman immediately suspended both goalies for the remainder of the season, saying "those two players can no longer be part of what we do."
Fifth-year senior Nick Fiorentino started in goal for Salisbury for yesterday's Division III national semifinal against Gettysburg and made eight saves to key an 11-10 victory in double overtime.
According to charging documents, Krissoff and Clark went on a rampage late Friday night. A spokesman for the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to reports of multiple acts of vandalism in the 1500 block of Camden Avenue. One victim told police that someone had thrown a piece of lumber through the front window of her home.
According to police reports, one suspect was located in the area and identified as Riley Clark of Bethesda, Md. Further investigation led police to identify Krissoff as the second suspect.
A total of 15 victims were identified and the property damage included shattered car windows, punctured tires and smashed mailboxes. Krissoff and Clark were charged with 17 counts of malicious destruction of property under $500, two counts of malicious destruction of property over $500 and engaging in a scheme to conduct malicious destruction of property of $500.
"We are saddened and truly disturbed to find out our students are involved in this type of alleged crime in this community. It is not what we teach our students about community citizenship. This should not reflect on our entire student body," said Ellen Neufeldt, Salisbury University Vice President of Student Affairs.
Krissoff starred at Annapolis High and Anne Arundel Community College. He once made 25 saves in a state championship game for Annapolis and was named Junior College Goalkeeper of the Year following a stellar sophomore season at AACC.
Clark opened the season as the starting goalkeeper for Salisbury and held the spot for eight games. Krissoff took over as the starter midway through the season and compiled a stellar .606 save percentage and 5.80 goals-against average.
Yesterday, an apology letter signed by Zachary N. Krissoff, was posted on the "Salisbury News" Web site. It was titled "Apology to the Salisbury Community" and the first paragraph reads:
"On May 16, 2008, I acted to destroy the personal property of a number of unassuming Salisbury residents living in the Pine Bluff area. This action now will haunt and follow me for the rest of my life. These actions were the result of brainless and senseless judgment on my part. This lapse in judgment has led to a level of regret I cannot even begin to express in words, let alone the innumerable amount of people I let down in the process of these actions. The embarrassment to myself, my family, my teammates, fellow students, fans, coaches, Salisbury University, and entire Salisbury community is immense and I know that I made an atrocious mistake. The level of disgrace, humiliation, shame and flat-out immaturity is also something that I will never be able to shake from my conscience. Words cannot express the remorse I have for inflicting such terror on the people whose property I damaged."
