FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team holds their second annual Play 4 the Cure event this Sunday, October 2 as they host Lock Haven University in a nonconference game.
 
Breast cancer affects about one in eight women in the United States.  And besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women.  More than one in four cancers in women are breast cancer.  Because of this, many are affected by the disease in one way or another and a number of people are willing to support and/or donate to hospitals and research.

Play 4 the Cure was created by Mystx Field Hockey Club founder, director and head coach Tina Reinprecht whose longtime desire was to create an indoor field hockey benefit tournament for breast cancer research.  With October as the height of field hockey season and the official Breast Cancer Awareness month, the organization has expanded the movement by declaring within the field hockey community that October is Play 4 the Cure month.  Many local Universities and youth teams take part in fighting for the cause, as they host games throughout the month dedicated to this event.  The Play 4 the Cure organization has adopted the slogan “Make a Difference, Play Pink” as they raise money for both the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society. 

Last year, Fairfield field hockey's head coach Jackie Kane presented a check for nearly $13,000 which was distributed to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer, in addition to Norwalk and Stamford Hospitals' mammogram clinics for those in need.  Fairfield County high schools and youth field hockey programs joined the Stags to Play 4 the Cure, raising funds for the cause. 

This year the Stags will host Lock Haven University in a nonconference game at 1 p.m. after two Fairfield County youth games take place on Alumni field at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.  Fairfield hosts this event as the kickoff to the month of October Play 4 the Cure youth games, and Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The team will be wearing pink t-shirts donated by deBeers, which they will also be selling throughout the day at donation tables around the field.  If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, donations can be made out to “Play for the Cure” and forwarded to Jackie Kane. 

The Stags are entering the weekend with a five game winning streak, and a 7-2 record.  Fairfield's defense has been impressive throughout the preseason allowing just nine goals and owning a combined goals against average of 1.00.  Goalkeeper Maddy Sposito is ranked among the nation's leaders lowering her goals against average to 1.27 after two shutouts in week five.  The back line has been notable so far this season, allowing just 86 shots compared to Fairfield's 119 total shots.

Lock Haven University is 6-6 overall and led by senior forwards Kristi Shepps and Leslie Ahern with 25 and 24 points, respectively.  Shepps has ten goals on the season while Ahern is close behind with eight goals and eight assists.  This past week, Shepps received Atlantic 10 honors as Player of the Week posting eight total points after 3-1 wins against both St. Francis and Georgetown University.

Fairfield will play at 1 p.m. on Sunday after the youth games take place in the morning.  The detailed schedule for the day is listed below.
 
Sunday, October 2 – SCHEDULE
10:00 AM – 5/6^th Graders: Trumbull vs. Fairfield
11:00 AM – 8^th Graders: Wilton vs. Darien
12:55 PM – Announcements & Lineups
1:05 PM – Fairfield University vs. Lock Haven
To find out more about the cause, you can visit the organizations website at http://www.play4thecure.com/home.