NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport University Women's Lacrosse team will be taking on Randolph Macon College on April 17th for the first annual Debbie Cale Classic. The game is named in honor of Debbie Cale, mother of CNU field hockey alumnae Kylie Cale, who lost her two-year battle with ovarian cancer in October 2011. The game is being held in order to raise awareness, raise money, and promote education. There will be a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) as well as giveaways and materials about the NOCC and ovarian cancer.
Debbie Cale, affectionately referred to as “Mama Cale”, embraced the role of team mom and with her husband Kevin and was instrumental in the development of the field hockey program. Mama Cale had a passion for the sport, a genuine concern for others, a sense of humor, a big heart and the ability to make each member of the program feel special. Not only was she an important part of the field hockey family, she was an important part of the CNU family.
The women's lacrosse team has partnered with Sigma Alpha Omega Sorotity for the event. Sigma Alpha Omega has been selling t-shirts in the David Student Union with proceeds going to the NOCC. They have also been promoting the game and will be assisting with the 50/50 raffle.
Each season, the women's lacrosse team runs a goal-a-thon, a season long fundraising endeavor that allows people to make either a flat donations or pledge per goal the team accumulates throughout the season. This year, the team will be donating 10% of monies raised through the goal-a-thon to the NOCC in memory of Debbie Cale. The NOCC is committed to improving the survival rate and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer.
The Captains and Yellow Jackets are set to start the Debbie Cale Classic at 4:00pm on Captains Field. CNU is coming off a 13-9 win against Shenandoah in the USA South Tournament championship where sophomore
Ashton Marshall was named the MVP and five additional Captains were named to the All-Tournament team. CNU is currently 13-1 with their only loss coming from nationally ranked Washington and Lee in the season opener.
Marshall is leading the Captains' attack with 70 points from 50 goals and 20 assists.
Jessica Singer and
Lauren King both have 40 points. Defender
Monica Evans is leading with 37 ground balls and midfielder
Becca Geist has a team-high 20 caused turnovers.
Hannah Wilkerson has an 8.04 goals against average and has collected 75 saves.
The Yellow Jackets are currently 8-7 and are coming off a 16-10 loss to Guilford College. The Yellow Jackets are led by Kelly Egan with 40 goals and 20 assists. Rachel Johnson has a team-high 43 ground balls and 54 draw controls. Johnson is also tied for the lead in caused turnovers with 24. Nicole Woodworth has a13.42 goals against average and 144 saves.
Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant or cancerous cells are found in the ovaries. In women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An estimated one woman in 58 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, especially, in the early stages. This is partly due to the fact that these two small, almond shaped organs are deep within the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the uterus and partly due to non-specific symptoms which include: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating and feeling full quickly, and feeling the need to urinate often and urgently. When one is diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%. Due to ovarian cancers non-specific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage. (http://www.ovarian.org)
For more information on the NOCC please go to www.ovarian.org.
