Every year, the Southern Lehigh High School’s boys’ lacrosse team plays a game for the HEADstrong charity. HEADStrong is a charity founded by Nick Colleluori, a former lacrosse player at Ridley High School and Hofstra University who passed away in 2006. While at Hofstra, Nick was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which affects the lymphatic system.

“We increase awareness of the cancer and we raise a lot of money for the cause,” senior midfielder Michael Nelson said. “It’s something we enjoy every year.”

Southern Lehigh beat Emmaus 13-8 on April 29. This was the first time in school history where Southern Lehigh defeated Emmaus. The theme was “Cancer Awareness Night.”  Southern Lehigh wore jerseys with the colors of blue and neon green, the colors of the Headstrong Foundation. Emmaus wore purple and white jerseys supporting pancreatic cancer awareness.

Before the game there was a ceremonial faceoff between two players’ fathers who are cancer survivors. Emmaus goalie Kevin McGee’s father, Jerry McGee, and Southern Lehigh midfielder Jacob Steirer’s father, Steve Steirer, participated in the face-off. They are both considered “in remission” because they aren’t considered to be 100 percent cancer free yet.

“The faceoff is symbolic to show two survivors of cancer to face off against each other,” Steirer said. “They both represent the message of HEADstrong: relentless.”

There were raffles with big ticket items, like an Apple iWatch. T-shirts also cost 10 dollars for this event. All these proceeds from the night went to the Headstrong Foundation.  

April 29th was considered a historic night for the Southern Lehigh lacrosse team. Even though Southern Lehigh won a close game, the most important theme of the night was support for this worthy cause.