Ivy Kwok
Staff Writer
On Feb. 7, the Gabrielino High School girls soccer team held their ninth annual Cancer Night, playing against Monrovia High School. They also hosted Senior Night and honored the seniors’ last season with many decorated posters, colorful balloons, and speeches from underclassmen.
At 4:00 p.m., the girls JV team began the event and secured a win against the Monrovia Wildcats, with a final score of 3-2.
Then, at 6:00 p.m., the girls Varsity soccer team stepped onto the field. The whole team donned bright pink clothing to show their support of cancer research, since pink is the international color for breast cancer awareness.
Starting the game off strong, they quickly scored a point in the first half and continued this winning streak by scoring 4 points in the second half. The Lady Eagles refused to let the Wildcats break their defense and make any goals, ending Cancer Night successfully with a score of 5-0.
“I would say that my team did pretty well,” stated senior Olivia Interiano. “For us, Cancer Night has been a tradition every single year and it always manages to bring the team together.”
All the proceeds made that night through food sales, raffles, and t-shirt sales will be donated to City of Hope, a private, non-profit cancer research and treatment center.
In addition to raising money for cancer treatment, the girls also celebrated their senior night. Underclassmen in the team gave short farewells to departing seniors, expressing their gratitude for the friendship and memories they made over the years.
For the Eagles, Cancer Night is a tradition that started nine years ago when a Gabrielino soccer player lost her mother to the disease. Ever since then, Gabrielino girls have kept the custom alive with their admirable spirit.
“We’re very grateful to the school that they keep supporting the soccer team in this way,” says Elois Zarate, announcer for the event. “Cancer Night is a really important night for the community and the team and is just really special in general.”
