All are winners as Sacred Heart, Merion Mercy girls come together in benefit game for Kelly Rooney Foundation

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/13/10

The score of Monday’s game between host Sacred Heart and Merion Mercy in a Catholic Academies girls’ lacrosse game was not nearly as important as the cause for the event.

Merion Mercy claimed the win, 20-9, but all were winners as the friendly rivals played a game that benefited the Kelly Rooney Foundation.

Sacred Heart senior Molly Rooney and her sister, Merion Mercy senior Casey Rooney served as hostesses for this event that honored their mother, Kelly Rooney, who passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer on July 11, 2006. A third sister, Haley, is a sophomore player for Merion Mercy.

The Kelly Rooney Foundation was founded to fight breast cancer. Through funding research, education and awareness programs, The Kelly Rooney Foundation helps to empower young women with information on risk factors and lifestyle choices to help prevent them from facing the disease.

The Rooney sisters along with the father, Sean Rooney, and other family members planned the event for weeks. Each team wore special pinnies designed for this day and there also was a souvenir booth to help raise money. In all, $2,000 was raised Monday and overall the Foundation has raised more than $500,000.

Molly Rooney and the Sacred Heart players also decorated the campus, and a disc jockey introduced the teams while providing music throughout the game. The day ended with a tailgate picnic for both teams as hosted by the Sacred Heart parents. Items such as t-shirts and bumper stickers were sold to raise money and both teams wore special pinnies and warmups to dedicate the game to the Foundation and Mrs. Rooney’s memory.

“I definitely think we’re making a difference,” said Casey Rooney. “Every little bit helps.

“It’s really great to have so many families and friends to support our family and be there for us over the years.”

Casey Rooney also had a great day on the field, scoring six goals and added five assists as the Bears improved to 4-0 in the league and 4-1 overall. Margaret Corzel had five goals and three assists.

For Sacred Heart (3-2, 1-2), Stephanie Finley had three goals and Lara Haab and Kara Shields each added a pair while Courtney Di Bianca played strong defense.