Eastern New York soccer teams raise thousands for Breast Cancer research

(Via ENYYSA) – Although October might be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Eastern New York soccer teams get a head start on supporting those with this deadly disease by playing in two soccer events, both originated in 2004, in August.

Stringham Park in LaGrange and the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview, two of the best soccer complexes in the Empire State which have hosted the State Cup finals for the past decade, are the venues of these big events.

29 women’s teams played in the 2015 Goals for Hope Tournament on August 1 at Stringham Park. The tourney has raised over $400,000 for in its 12 editions for the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, which helps people affected by breast cancer in the Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester.

Last Sunday, August 16, six Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams in the Girls-Under-14 and Girls-Under-15 age groups played at the Collins Soccer Park as part of the 12th Annual Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival. The Commack Wildfire, Dix Hills Lightning, East Islip Intensity, Mattituck Fury, New Hyde Park Cheetahs and Terryville Breakers paid $300 each to play three friendly games on a sweltering Sunday.

In its 12 editions, the Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival has raised approximately $25,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1992.

“I thank the LIJSL for their generosity and cooperation in helping us put on an event like this,” said event coordinator and Estée Lauder employee Carlos Ospina. “The leadership of the league understands the importance of this fight and continues to support us. But it is so good to see the players and coaches who are members of the league come out and support the cause at a time of year when others may not yet be thinking about it.”

When he is not working at Estée Lauder or volunteering as event coordinator, Ospina coaches the Girls-Under-19 Lynbrook/East Rockaway Lizards and Boys-Under-16 Lynbrook/East Rockaway Landsharks in the LIJSL.

“The LIJSL is proud and honored to be a part of this event. It allows us to provide a platform for the continued awareness and fight of this disease,” commented LIJSL President Anthony Maresco.

The league, through its partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has donated the use of the Collins Soccer Park for the past dozen years. LIJSL teams are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout the month of October.