Player Charged After Elbowing Opponent Mid-Game At Inver Grove Heights Soccer Tournament: Police

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN — A soccer tournament in Inver Grove Heights turned violent on Aug. 30 when one player elbowed an opponent in the face mid-game, breaking his nose, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court.

The two men, playing on opposing teams, were both running down the field chasing a loose ball when the collision happened, the complaint states. Neither had possession of the ball at the time.

The victim told law enforcement that Rayan Louis Tolentino-Pubill, 21, of West St. Paul, elbowed him in the face and pulled his lip during the play.

He said he immediately fell to his knees, became dizzy and his vision blurred. When officers arrived at the park, they found his nose bleeding, his lip swollen and bruising forming around his eyes.

A witness who was watching the tournament backed up the victim's account, telling investigators Tolentino-Pubill had been playing aggressively throughout the game.

The witness said this was not the first time Tolentino-Pubill had assaulted another player and that he was known among other players for aggressive conduct that had gotten him expelled from games before, according to the complaint.

Tolentino-Pubill told officers he was afraid and acting in self-defense, the complaint states.

The victim required surgery to repair his broken nose.

Tolentino-Pubill was charged Sept. 1 with one felony count of third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

A judge signed an order of detention the same day, and he remains in custody with no bail amount or release conditions set as the case proceeds.

Charges are allegations, and Tolentino-Pubill is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.