The LIJSL/Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Festival marked its return on Saturday, August 6, as the Peter C. Collins Soccer Park was decked out in pink, from jerseys to field lines. The annual event, which had been on hiatus between 2020-2022, returned for its 17th edition this summer.
Four LIJSL teams – Lindenhurst Sparks, Plainedge Rockets, East Islip Stars, and VOB Wolfpack / Cosmos – played a series of friendly matches from 9 am – 2 pm. Four co-ed staff teams from Estée Lauder also took the field. Officials from the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) also generously donated their time for the games.
Over the course of the event, $3K was raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
LIJSL has partnered with with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, donating the use of the Soccer Park since the inaugural Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival in 2004. Before kicking off the games at 9 am, a moment of silence was held for Michael Clarke, the Eastern New York and LIJSL Hall of Famer who passed away in June and was a big supporter of the event as Director of the Peter C. Collins Soccer Park.
Teams from around the League are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.