10/6/2006 - (Riverdale, NY) – After five hours of play, the Mount Saint Vincent Men’s Soccer game came to an end on Sunday, Oct. 1, but there was no winner. In fact there was no score, no statistics, and playing time was not even charted. While the Mount participated in what was manifestly a soccer event, the game was not nearly as important as the cause. “Kicks for Kids” gave the Dolphins a different reason to play on Sunday, and while there was no winner on the field, everybody gained something … particularly the children who benefit from this event.

Members of the Mount Saint Vincent Men's Soccer team pose with local youths at the recent Kicks for Kids event. The event helped raise money for Laline's Angels, an organization who's mission is to educate families concerning care and treatment for children with cancer or a blood disorder.

Kicks for Kids is sponsored by Laline’s Angels, an organization who’s mission is to provide the most current information on caring for a child with cancer or a blood disorder, and serve as a clearinghouse for the vast and dizzying array of resources available for families of sick children. Serving as a centerpiece for such resources and information is a daunting task, and events such as Kicks for Kids act as an important fundraiser for this organization. Not only did the event allow for fundraising, but it also allowed the Mount to help give back to local soccer programs by working with youth soccer players. According to Head Coach Matt Hisler the activity was a win-win for everybody involved.

“As a coach you come to learn how important it is to use your athletic gifts not only to represent the College and play a sport, but to give back to the community and help others as well,” Hisler said. “I think Kicks for Kids is an invaluable program that allowed the team to help raise money for a worthy cause and help promote the spread of soccer … all good things. It was also a chance for the team to be together on the field and to just enjoy playing soccer instead of playing with the pressures and challenges inherent with competing during the season. This wasn’t about Mount Saint Vincent Soccer, it was about this great sport and the many wonderful people who participate, and how we can all give something back.”

Joining the Mount’s Men’s Soccer team were five members of the Women’s Soccer team, and Todd Dunivant of the New York Red Bulls and US National Team. After playing for five hours and teaching the finer points of soccer to the kids who attended, the Mount came home without a win, but with something far more valuable … a lesson learned.

“We did a lot of the teaching today, but also a lot of the learning,” Hisler said. “I think Kicks for Kids was a wonderful experience for everybody involved, and something I hope to do with my teams throughout my coaching career. I also hope an event like this inspired our players to want to continue serving the community and working for good causes.”