Sports Photographer Assaulted Amid Post-Game Chaos at N.J. Soccer Match

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — A highly anticipated high school soccer match between state powerhouses St. Benedict’s Prep and St. Peter’s Prep ended in chaos on Saturday, culminating in an alleged physical assault on a freelance sports photographer covering the event.

Tom Horak, 31, a seasoned photographer working for NJ Advance Media, was documenting a post-game melee that erupted during the handshake line when he was allegedly charged and assaulted by one of St. Benedict’s top-ranked players, junior forward Amadou Hann.

The incident occurred after the match ended in a 1-1 tie, breaking St. Benedict’s 26-game winning streak. Horak had positioned himself to capture the emotional exchange between the teams when the argument quickly escalated into pushing and punches.

The Attack on the Sidelines

As Horak captured photos of the dispute, Hann — described by witnesses as being in a “rattled state” — sprinted approximately 30 yards toward the photographer. Horak reports that Hann grabbed him by the throat and demanded he delete the photos.

“What he did is definitely not OK,” Horak said. “It was a scary moment. He charged, and he kind of grabbed me by the throat.”

The attack lasted less than 10 seconds before the 6-foot-2 forward was restrained. Horak was left with visible abrasions across his neck but declined medical attention and has not pressed charges at this time. Rich Hansen, the long-time St. Peter’s Prep athletic director, witnessed the event, calling it “kind of surreal,” and confirmed seeing Hann make contact with the photographer.

Aftermath and Investigation

Horak, an 8-year veteran freelance photographer, noted that while several St. Peter’s players immediately checked on his well-being, he was not approached or contacted by anyone from St. Benedict’s following the incident.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the state’s governing body for high school sports, has confirmed awareness of the incident and stated they will be investigating immediately. St. Benedict’s athletic director Frank DiPiano declined comment when reached by phone Sunday regarding the allegations against Hann, who is widely considered a top national prospect in the 2027 class.

The focus now shifts to the NJSIAA’s investigation, which will determine what disciplinary actions, if any, will be taken against the player and the St. Benedict’s program following the highly unusual and aggressive encounter on the sidelines.