Tragedy Strikes Family of Accomplished MIT Soccer Player

BOSTON — In a heartbreaking incident, a private plane crash over the weekend claimed the lives of six individuals from a notable family of physicians and student-athletes. Among them was Karenna Groff, a former MIT women’s soccer player and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. The twin-engine aircraft went down in a muddy field in Copake, New York, while attempting to reach Columbia County Airport.

According to reports, the plane crashed around noon on Saturday as it was returning from a birthday celebration and Passover holiday trip. Authorities confirmed that Karenna and her family members perished in the incident. Her father, Dr. Michael Groff, was a well-respected neurosurgeon and pilot, while her mother, Dr. Joy Saini, was a renowned urogynecologist. In addition to them, her brother Jared Groff and his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte also lost their lives. James Santoro, Groff’s boyfriend and fellow MIT graduate, was also on board.

Witnesses and investigators shared that prior to the crash, the pilot had communicated with air traffic control, indicating he needed a new approach plan after missing the initial approach. Despite this, air traffic controllers tried to alert the pilot about a low altitude warning but received no response. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted that video footage from the flight revealed the aircraft intact but descending rapidly before impact.

Karenna Groff was highly regarded not just for her soccer skills, but also for her academic achievements. She co-founded openPPE, an initiative aimed at providing essential workers with effective protective gear during the pandemic. She often credited training and support from her MIT women’s soccer family for her success.

After finishing her time at MIT, Groff moved to Manhattan to attend medical school at New York University. Friends and family have expressed their profound grief, with Santoro’s father describing the loss as devastating, noting that the world lost individuals who were “going to do a lot of good.”

The crash site investigation will take about a week, and a complete report is expected to take between 12 and 24 months, according to the NTSB. Funeral arrangements are currently being planned as the family and friends mourn their unexpected loss.