Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY

Cony, Gardiner games raise $15,000 for cancer center

By Gary Hawkins ghawkins@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

GARDINER -- The Drive Out Cancer Challenge ended Tuesday night where it began a year ago, with the Cony and Gardiner field hockey teams playing an exhibition game.

click image to enlarge

Cony honorary captain Jessica DeJongh, second from left points at the goal the Rams will defend during the coin toss for the second annual Drive Out Cancer Challenge field hockey Tuesday night in Gardiner. Each team had honorary captains for the game which was a fund raiser for the Alfond Center for Cancer Care.

Joe Phelan

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

It culminated four exhibitions between the rival schools as well as several weeks of preparation behind the scenes. Proceeds from the games, along with donations, raised an estimated $15,000 for the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta.

"The amount is just mind boggling," said Gardiner assistant coach Sharon Gallant, who spent weeks helping organize the event. "People have been unbelievable." For the record, Gardiner won 1-0 on a late goal from freshman Ellen Kelley, but the victory was incidental to the cause.

"It was really touching, since my dad was chosen as an honorary captain," Gardiner senior captain Becca Paradee said.

Honorary captains who had been diagnosed or affected by cancer were chosen for each team in all four games. Cony's captains were Jessica DeJongh and Bobbie Jordan, while Paradee and Dianne Thurston -- sister of Gardiner coach Moe McNally -- represented the Tigers. Paradee was diagnosed with the disease this spring. His co-workers at the Maine Turnpike Authority donated nearly $2,400 to the cancer challenge Tuesday night.

"The rivalry is still there," Becca Paradee said of the game. "We still go at each other really hard but we keep it clean because we know this is bigger."

The $15,000 figure was just an estimate, displayed on a giant check to an Alfond representative after the game, but Gallant said the final figure could definitely be higher. Those still wishing to donate can send checks to Gardiner Area High School made out to the Drive Out Cancer Challenge.

Just as important as the money raised was the participation of nearly 200 athletes from the two schools in helping raise cancer awareness in the community.

"I don't know anyone whose family hasn't been affected by cancer in one way or another," Gallant said.

Next year, the teams will play in Augusta, although the football game may not be part of the challenge since both teams will likely be in the same class and play at the end of the season.

The Tigers dominated the action Tuesday night and could have scored a few more goals if not for Cony's senior goalie Asia Le, who made 20 saves. Le was named MVP for the Rams while Paradee earned the honor for the Tigers.

"We knew our strong point was defense because we've got a lot of kids coming back," said McNally, whose Tigers won the Class B state championship last season. "But we've got to find a consistent offense."

The Rams didn't apply any pressure on Gardiner goalie Alley Beaulieu until the final two minutes of the game. Beaulieu made two strong saves, the first on a partial breakaway by Alyssa Brochu.

"They're quick, they cut to the ball really well and they change fields really well," Cony coach Holly Daigle said of the Tigers. "It was just a great opportunity for us to get to play them."

Daigle, who is in her first year as varsity coach, was also grateful for the chance to take part in the cancer challenge.

"There's just a such great energy surrounding the whole event," she said. "Between the football game, the soccer games, the field hockey game, it's such a community effort between Cony and Gardiner. A lot of time and effort went into this, but it's well worth it."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com