On Tuesday Sept. 23 the soccer team beat Lawrence Free State with a final score of 1-0 during the annual Relay for Life Purple Out game.
Despite obstacles such as the rain many students still showed up for the game For players, such as senior Ethan Walter, seeing the support from the student section gave them the encouragement they needed to score during the tight game.
“[The loud student section] really helps during tough games like this, where we have the two laps of over time,” Walter said. “It really gives us the extra push.”
An aspect that contributed to the student section being so supportive, was having such an important theme for the game such as Purple Out. This was organized by Relay for Life. Students in the student section showed up to the game to not only watch the game but also to raise money for the American Cancer Society, junior Victoria Guess explains.
“[The theme] brings more awareness to a fundraiser as it gets shown around the school,” Guess said. “They become more familiar and it gives them more familiarity for later down the road to donate.”
For Relay for Life chair junior Max Hannah fundraising during the game gave the night a bigger purpose.
“I hope the crowd, the students, everyone, will take away that this game is more than just a game of soccer. It’s also to fight against cancer,” Hannah said. “We are raising money for the American Cancer Society while they’re here, they are helping our event by either buying a donut or buying a duck for our Chuck a Duck. Leading to more money for our fight against cancer and hopes of curing cancer.”
According to Walter seeing students support the important game despite the rain, served as a reminder of the schools bigger goal of showing dedication to their schools mission.
“We’re playing for a purpose, more of a purpose than just to win the game,” Walter said. “It’s a really special feeling knowing that your school is making such a big impact.”
