The stakes of the first ever boys’ versus girls’ varsity lacrosse game were low, but the spirit was high, as every fan and player rallied to raise $3,000 for the Cycle for Survival cancer foundation. The game was a tribute to sophomore Sam Allen, a cancer survivor and Boys’ Junior Varsity Lacrosse player, whose family has raised over $150,000 for Cycle for Survival since Allen’s diagnosis.

Allen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015 when he discovered a cyst on his back and was tested at the hospital. Allen was in and out of treatment cycles for over a year, plagued by misguided hopes and what felt to a 6-year-old like never-ending hospital visits, Allen explained. Finally, in late 2016 Allen received news that he was finally cancer-free.

Allen’s mom discovered Cycle for Survival when he first started his treatment. The foundation raises money to fund research for rare types of cancer similar to the one Allen personally suffered from.

“I know [Cycle for Survival] is a big organization that helps a lot of people but it is definitely very special to me,” Allen said.

The idea for the game held on May 4 came from junior Townsend Walter, a Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse player. When Allen was approached by junior Anthony Pinto, a Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse player, about supporting Cycle for Survival for the boys’ versus girls’ lacrosse game, he felt honored.

“To see the South lacrosse community cultivate to fight for this cause and help kids like myself really meant a lot to me,” Allen said.

Walter drew inspiration from a Notre Dame College Prep versus Resurrection College Prep girls’ versus boys’ lacrosse game she watched when she was a freshman. During lacrosse pre-season this year, Walter pitched the idea to her coach, and the plans were set in motion.

“I knew [the game] would be a fun tradition to bring to [South] and my coach was super supportive of the idea,” Walter said.

Although it is the same sport, the rules for the boys’ and girls’ games vastly differ, Walter said. After some debate, the Athletic Department and coaches determined it would be most fair to play by girls’ rules, along with having the coaches act as referees, Walter said.

Pinto attested to the difficulties the boys faced when preparing for the game. The girls’ sticks have a smaller pocket for the ball, which created many setbacks for the boys as Pinto believed they were not able to move with as much stealth.

“Girls’ lacrosse is a completely different sport from [boys’ lacrosse],” Pinto said. “The girls’ sticks are not easy to play with, but [we tried to] teach the game to the rest of the boys’ team.”

The outlook of the first half had all fans banking on a girls’ win. Sophomore Bailey Johnson kicked off the game with a goal for the girls’ team, while sophomore Lukas Kim attempted to keep the boys’ in the game with his first goal. The girls’ maintained the lead but the game was close.

When a horn blared to signify the close of the game’s first half, all attention was on the middle of the field as focus shifted from the players to Allen. Allen stepped onto the turf, microphone in hand, and left the audience in awe from his inspiring speech of perseverance during his battle with cancer. Junior Rio Pehar went to support his friends on the lacrosse team, and left the game moved by Allen’s tenacious fight for survival.

“A lot of kids can’t speak in front of their class and [Allen] just did it in front of [a huge crowd],” Pehar said. “[This] shows the type of person he is and how mature he is.”

Constant turnovers had the stands moving their eyes rapidly to keep up, but a friendly atmosphere remained during the entire game. In the final quarter, the boys’ came back and claimed a 12-8 victory.

“I was surprised that we ended up winning because we were down 4-1 pretty early,” Pinto said. “We were all surprised and it was really fun for everyone.”

Allen and Walter are hopeful that a tradition of boys’ versus girls’ games will be pursued. Walter is eager for future teams at South to be a part of the same memorable experience and contribute to a meaningful cause.

“I hope this is an annual event because it is for such a good cause,” Walter said. “It helps create a culture in South lacrosse, and now the teams are the closest they’ve been since I started playing at South.”