35° and Sunny
Image
Photo by St. John's Prep. St. John’s Prep and Xaverian Brothers High School varsity soccer teams at the third annual “Play for Pink” game on October 15, 2024.
11-14-2024 12:40am
Two Xaverian Teams Enter Round of 8 MIAA D1 Playoffs after Raising Awareness and Funds for Breast Cancer
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Thanks to Xaverian Brothers High School for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
WESTWOOD, MA – Xaverian’s varsity football and soccer teams head into the Elite 8 rounds of MIAA Division 1 playoff games this week, just as they finish two successful fundraising efforts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Together, the teams helped to raise more than $6,000 for two local non-profits, Runway for Recovery, and The Ellie Fund.
On October 4, the Xaverian community took part in a dress-down day fundraiser to support The Ellie Fund, a Needham-based nonprofit which provides transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries and nutritious delivered meals free of charge to more than 500 breast cancer patients and family members across Massachusetts each year. Members of the student council worked with the varsity Xaverian football team to organize a community night before their home game on October 4. Between the players’ pink socks and the student section, Xaverian was a sea of pink.
Just a week-and-a-half later on October 15, Xaverian’s soccer team played in the third annual “Play for Pink” game against St. John’s Prep, with all donations benefiting the Newburyport-based non-profit, Runway for Recovery. Team captain, Pano Haseotes ’25 (Halifax), has a personal connection to the cause: “My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer over five years ago. Fortunately, it was in the early stages, and through treatments and medicine, she is now in remission,” he shares. “Participating in this fundraiser was important for our team because breast cancer affects so many people; most of us know someone who has had breast cancer,” he says. Xaverian athletes wore specially designed jerseys to mark the occasion.
On Friday, November 15, Xaverian football will take on the Leominster Blue Devils at Xaverian. Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through GoFan.co.
On Wednesday, November 13th, Xaverian soccer defeated the Franklin Panthers, 1-0, during the MIAA Boys Soccer Division 1 Round of 8 at Xaverian. With that win, Xaverian soccer makes the Final Four and will next play Newton North on November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Woburn High.
