Mass. youth soccer coaches accused of raping teen player; both plead not guilty

Mass. soccer coaches accused of raping teen player

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Two former Massachusetts youth soccer coaches have pleaded not guilty to raping a girl on their team.

Roger Lau and Thomas Heinz, both 26, were arraigned in Somerville District Court on Tuesday on forcible child rape charges. Bail for Lau was set at $8,000, while Heinz was released on personal recognizance.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone says the rapes occurred between 2003 and 2004. At the time, Heinz was the head coach and Lau was an assistant on the alleged victim’s under-14 soccer team in Medford.

Prosecutor Caitelyn Draper says Lau started a sexual relationship with the girl when she was 13 and the it lasted more than a year. The victim says Heinz sexually assaulted her twice during that time.

Messages left for defense attorneys weren’t immediately returned.