Judge In Mass. Upholds Hazing Suspensions

The Needham High School girl's soccer team is out of the state tournament after several of its players were suspended over an alleged hazing incident.

Needham lost to Brockton 7-1 on Tuesday night, hours after a judge turned down a request from parents to reinstate the suspended athletes.

WBZ-TV reported that four seniors and one freshmen were suspended and the team's coach placed on leave. The station reported that the hazing victims were blindfolded and led around on dog leashes, then hit in their faces with pies.

The incident was allegedly part of an "initiation ritual" for new players on the team. A student who was friends with some of the players told The Boston Globe the ritual had been taking place for years without complaint.

Needham police said they were investigating the incident.