C-C aims to Kick Cancer

SCHOOLS

When Concord-Carlisle hosted its first Kicks for Cancer game in the fall of 2007, Patriots assistant boys soccer coach Steve Wells thought it would be a one-time event.

Fast forward a decade, and now the tournament held in honor of Wells’ late mother, Lois, includes eight games, 16 teams and a fundraising goal of $50,000 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Women’s Cancer Program.

“For me, it’s very humbling,” said Wells yesterday. “I never in my wildest dreams thought it would be this big.”

What started out as a single boys soccer game with Concord-Carlisle wearing Lois Wells’ name on the back of their jerseys now includes both the Patriots’ boys and girls varsity programs and several of their Dual County League rivals. This year’s tournament capped off with one of the biggest games in the league yet this season: Concord-Carlisle boys against defending Division 1 state champion Lincoln-Sudbury.

“Now the stakes are really high, so it adds to the intensity of the event,” said Wells.

But the rivalries aren’t the biggest part of the tournament. Dana-Farber patients, like 7-year-old Ava Girolimetti, participate in ceremonial first kicks before each match. Every player wears a jersey specially made for the day that has someone they personally know who has battled cancer.

Bedford sophomore Emma Ferrari had her mom’s name on her jersey as the Bucs came back late to tie Acton-Boxboro, 3-3.

“It means a lot to play in this game, because when my mom had cancer, everyone supporting me is what got me through,” said Ferrari.

Caroline Davis donned her late uncle’s name as she backstopped Lincoln-Sudbury to a 6-0 victory over Concord-Carlisle.

“He fought hard for 15 years, and I’m really proud to have played for him today,” said the freshman.

Wells is in awe of what the tournament has become, but is hopeful that there comes a point that it can be taken off the Patriots’ schedule for the best of reasons.

“I do hope that someday we don’t have to have this game.”

In other boys soccer action yesterday:

Jacques Baldwin scored the lone goal for

Brookline (4-1-2) to post a 1-0 win over Newton

North in a Bay State Carey showdown.

In nonleague play, Peter Stephens scored the game-winner off an assist from Peter Wise to lead Newton South (5-1-2) past Natick, 1-0. . . . Meyele Malango finished with a goal and assist, while Anderson Rivas netted a goal to lift Lowell (7-0-1) over Medford, 2-1.

In other girls soccer action:

Allison Reef, Emily Vigeant and Cassidy McMahon each netted two goals a piece as Mansfield (7-0) routed New Bedford, 9-0, in a nonleague contest.

Girls volleyball

Mary Campbell had 14 kills and 10 digs to help Bishop Feehan (4-1) dispatch Franklin, 3-1, in a nonleague contest. Field hockey Celia Walsh led the way with a hat trick as Walpole (7-0-1) blew out Franklin, 7-0, in nonleague play.