Lesley Women’s Soccer Pre-Season Halts for a Day of Service

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Lesley University women's soccer team took a break from their two-a-day preseason workouts for a day of service with The Guidance Center, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing helpful programs and services to children and their parents from pregnancy through early childhood. 

The Guidance Center moved into a new facility on Sacramento Street, just a few blocks from Lesley's campus, and the student-athletes on the women's soccer team picked up paint brushes and rollers to help decorate the interior.  With the team's help, six rooms were able to be painted within three hours of hard work. 

When completed, the new house will be the home for a full range of developmental, mental health and support programs for children and their parents.  Currently there are five staff members working for The Guidance Center with the Sacramento building set to open this Wednesday.

"This was something we needed to do as a team," said junior midfielder Sarah Groh.  "It's important that everyone, especially our new players, get involved with the community and get away from the mindset that we're just here to play soccer."

The Lady Lynx completed their day of service but the experience left several of the women's soccer players asking about additional volunteer opportunities and internships with The Guidance Center, which matches up perfectly with the vision and mission of a Lesley University community-influenced education.

"It is great that our players took the initiative to do this on their own," commented Head Coach Paul Vasconcelos.  "It shows what type of student-athlete wants to come here.  One who can compete on the field and stay true to the Lesley mission."

The team will now return to the practice field for one more week of training and scrimmages before their first regular season match of 2009 against Eastern Nazarene College on September 1.

To learn more about the Lesley University women's soccer program, please visit their website and to learn more about The Guidance Center, Inc. please visit their website.

Story Courtesy of Lesley Sports Information