A Shot For Life's first annual Clash Against Cancer features several local lacrosse players
After successful A Shot For Life events in basketball along with baseball and softball, the sports-based non-profit organization, which funds health and cancer research initiatives, is expanding with boys and girls lacrosse All-Star games.
The first annual ASFL Clash Against Cancer will take place on Feb. 12 at the Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth with the boys lacrosse All-Stars taking the field at 3:30 p.m. before the girls game at 6:30 p.m.
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While the All-Star game allows the the selected participants a platform to showcase their skill sets, the players are also giving back in a big way as part of this event. Each player will raise monetary funds for cancer research at the Dr. Curry Research Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Several local players will play in the inaugural All-Star game on the boys side with Alex Colella (Duxbury) and James Carroll (BC High) along with Milton Academy teammates Ralph Vogel, Murphy McLaughlin and Lucca Casagrande all suiting up.
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Milton Academy will also be well-represented during the girls game with Lilly Stoller and Jayne Feeney selected while four Thayer Academy teammates in Anna Kenney, Brooke McLoy, Caroline Kendall and Eva Chouinard made the roster as well. Duxbury's Campbell Johnston and Reilly Walsh of Notre Dame Academy earned the All-Star nod, too.
The selection process for this All-Star game differs compared to other showcase exhibitions with players having to go through an interview phase to be chosen to play.
The Cannons Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League stepped up to be part of the inaugural ASFL Clash Against Cancer by donating a prize package, which includes a game day experience to the highest boy and girl fundraisers.
Mike Slonina, who founded ASFL just over a decade ago, began the non-profit organization by shooting a basketball for 24 hours straight in honor of his mother who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
In 2013, the non-profit organization started holding an annual basketball shooting fundraiser challenge, which many local stars have participated in over the years, and in 2020, the ASFL Home Run Derby was created for baseball and softball players.
ASFL staff members Matt Freitas, a Weymouth native and goalie on the Williams College lacrosse team, and Deven Patel were instrumental in helping the organization extend into lacrosse.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Local lax players to play in A Shot For Life's Clash Against Cancer
