WATSON’S FIRST ACCUSER SPEAKS OUT
The first woman to accuse Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment in a lawsuit spoke publicly on Tuesday, alleging she was terrorized by her encounter with the NFL player and that he needs to be held accountable for his actions.
During a news conference, Ashley Solis said she was assaulted and traumatized when she tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020. The Associated Press usually does not name victims of sexual assault, but Solis has chosen to publicly identify herself.
“I come forward now so that Deshaun Watson does not assault another woman I am seeking justice not just on behalf of myself but for all survivors. This is about having my voice heard,” a tearful Solis said as she read a statement, adding she was no longer afraid to speak out. Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women.
Solis’ description of her encounter with Watson, in which he allegedly touched her with his penis during the massage session, mirrors the accusations made by the other women in their lawsuits. They accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage. At least one woman has alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex during a massage in December. All of the women who have sued Watson are either licensed massage therapists or worked in a spa or similar business. The
first lawsuit — from Solis — was filed on March 16 and the most recent one was filed Monday.
Solis said in her statement that since the alleged assault, she suffers from panic attacks, anxiety, depression and is no longer comfortable working as a massage therapist.
More sports and courts
LSU coach Ed Orgeron maintained in a statement provided to state lawmakers that he does not recall speaking with an elderly female security worker who said then-Tigers running back Derrius Guice made offensive sexual advances toward her during an event she was working in 2017.
Soccer
The Major Arena Soccer League is moving the Ron Newman Cup Finals between San Diego and Ontario by one week so a limited number of
fans can attend. Game 1 will be at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, April 16, and Game 2 at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. Should the series be tied after two games, the teams will play a 15-minute mini-game for Game 3, approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.
The Finals will take place at Toyota Arena in Ontario, the home of the Fury. The Sockers have been given 500 tickets for each game. Tickets can only be reserved via the club’s website, at www.sdsockers.com/finals.
• Vinicius Junior scored a goal in each half as Real Madrid defeated visiting Liverpool 3-1 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Marco Asensio also scored for Madrid, which took full advantage of Liverpool’s defensive blunders in the first half to take a commanding lead ahead of the second leg in England.
Mohamed Salah netted the lone goal for Liverpool early in the second half.
• Phil Foden capped a fine Champions League display for Manchester City with a 90thminute goal to secure a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarterfinal.
Local colleges
Bolstered by four top-20 individual finishes, including a runner-up showing by Puwit Anupansuebsai, the SDSU men’s golf team won the team title at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic with a tournamentrecord total of 33-under-par 831 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz.
The Aztecs won the tournament by six strokes, followed by TCU (-27), Colorado (-20), Loyola Marymount (-20) and No. 36 Stanford (-19).
• SDSU senior swimmer Klara Thormalm was named the Mountain West Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive season. The Vetlanda, Sweden, native’s senior season was highlighted by an 11thplace finish at the NCAA Championships in the 100 breaststroke, swimming to a conference-best and programbest time of 58.68.
Also
The University of Hawaii placed 81 football players in quarantine after eight players tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week.
• Massachusetts will be without four players when the Minutemen face Minnesota Duluth on Thursday night at the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols.