MARCELLO MONDAY: WINNING ON AND OFF THE FIELD

BOSTON, Mass. - Emmanuel College's Women's Soccer team defeated Mount Ida College on Saturday by a final score of 5-0. The Carey sisters, Molly and Maggie, lead the team in goals and assists. Coaches Wayne Currie and Keith Rogers were thrilled with the energy that continued throughout the entire game.

Saturday's match was more than just any ordinary game however. It was also senior day for the 8 seniors on the team: Hannah Konicki, Molly Carey, Ariana Cardillo, Maddie Barry, Katelyn Fink, Tess McCarthy, Anndie Vigneau, and myself. All of the seniors have dedicated their time and pure love of the game throughout the years. They hold a strong presence on the team through their skills, leadership, and entertaining personalities. 

Even more importantly, Saturday's match was also the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser game, also known as the Pink Out game. Fans for both Mount Ida and Emmanuel showed their support by wearing pink and donating to the Ellie Fund. The Ellie Fund is a local charity that provides support services for breast cancer patients. The donations from Saturday's game will be used for critical support services including transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries, and delivered meals free of charge. ECWS would like to thank all of those who have donated to the Ellie Fund and who came out to show their support!

Breast Cancer is greater than Emmanuel, Mount Ida, the whole game of soccer itself. The disease affects 1 out of 8 U.S women. In 2015, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed, along with 60,290 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. On Saturday, both teams and all fan bases united to support the cause and to raise awareness. ECWS also honored those loved ones who have passed or who are survivors of breast cancer. The Breast Cancer awareness fundraiser is truly something that makes Emmanuel College incredible special. Honoring this and making it a tradition is, as I stated earlier, more meaningful than the game of soccer itself.

Abby Wambach once said: "Having different people come together and be on a team and win a world championship is literally, I think, the definition of being American."

On Saturday, fans, coaches, and players came together from different teams, towns, and states. We united to form one team, a team championing against breast cancer.