When a young Bath Middle School student was injured during a girls’ soccer game between St. John’s Catholic School and Bath Middle School on Monday, spectators, players and coaches stood quietly as emergency technicians secured the student on a backboard and carried her to an ambulance.

At that moment, the injured girl’s mother, standing nearby and worried, witnessed a small but meaningful act of compassion and faith by St. John’s Catholic School seventh-grader Ella Martin and sixth-grader Jenna Roane that she says she will never forget.

“These two brave young ladies came over and respectfully looked me in the eye to say that their team would pray for my daughter Macie tomorrow at school,” said Doris Gagne. “I remained so strong until that moment … then tears came.

“What a caring, polite thing to say. Their team is well-skilled in soccer and life. I hope that the staff at the school knows how well these young ladies represent themselves, God and their school.”

“Your team showed unbelievable sportsmanship when they came over and told Mrs. Gagne that they would pray for Macie,” said Pete Champagne, a referee at the game on Sept. 23 in an email to coaches. “It could perhaps be the greatest thing you teach your team this season. Well done!”

Macie suffered from whiplash, but will return back to regular activities soon.

As promised, Ella, Jenna and the rest of the school prayed for Macie’s recovery the following day in school.

“ Students, staff and families at St. John’s Catholic School are encouraged to show kindness, respect and concern for others in the community,” said Patricia Berthiaume, principal of St. John’s Catholic School. “We are so proud of how Ella, Jenna and the team demonstrated their Faith in a difficult moment, and how they displayed these other qualities.”