April 5, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland women's soccer team will play in the sixth annual Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament this Saturday at the South Germantown Soccerplex. The Tournament will feature matches between some of the best women's teams in the country.
The Terps will take on the University of Georgia at 10 a.m. and Boston University at 2 p.m.
"Obviously, we are really excited about the level of competition we will face at the tournament," said head coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski. "Also, to play in this tournament is very special to us. To help in the fight against breast cancer means a lot to us and we are excited about the opportunity."
For the sixth year in a row, several of the best women's soccer teams in the United States will visit the South Germantown Soccerplex in Germantown, Maryland to participate in the "Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament." Combining their efforts with businesses, local soccer organizations, volunteers and paying fans, the women helped raise over $250,000 for Howard County General Hospital's Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center in Columbia, Maryland and the Claudia Mayer Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament honors the memory of Claudia Mayer, who died of breast cancer at the age of 47 in 1996. Claudia was a soccer enthusiast and a woman who displayed extraordinary courage as she battled the disease that eventually took her life.
Louise Waxler, "Kicks" tournament director, developed the concept in 1997. Waxler has mobilized volunteers from the Howard County General Hospital, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association and several other organizations to help stage the event. At the end of the inaugural competition in 1997, more than $30,000 was raised.
While the tournament has generated a great response from sponsors, Waxler's goal is to continue to attract more fans to the games. To encourage youth players and their families to attend the tournament, organizers have scheduled a game with the new WUSA Washington Freedom to be played under the lights at the new stadium at the South Germantown Soccerplex. Adminssion prices for all games (including feature game) are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for youth.
Players also contributed off the field by accepting a challenge to raise $500 per team to help in the fight against breast cancer. The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, a sponsor since the tournament's inception, continues to play a key role by co-sponsoring a tournament banquet and mobilizing all of its resources to publicize the event.
"I'm pleased with our accomplishments," said Waxler. "The message is spreading throughout the country regarding the significance of this tournament and we will continue to try and raise the awareness amongst our college athletes about the risks of breast cancer. When the athletes take the playing field in this tournament, they will play before an enthusiastic crowd and contribute to a cause bigger than soccer."
"I'm hopeful that many of the colleges hosting spring tournaments will join with us in raising funds for breast cancer. There are plenty of sponsors, fans and volunteers who will support this kind of event and there is no shortage of charities that could use the proceeds."
Teams slated to participate in the 6th annual tournament are: University of Maryland, , U.S. Naval Academy, University of North Carolina, Boston University, University of Georgia, George Mason University, College of William and Mary, Loyola University, University of Virginia, Princeton University, Rutgers University, USYSA Region I 1985 ODP Team and the WUSA Washington Freedom
