In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, West Virginia University women’s soccer players Carolyn Blank and Nicole Mailloux modeled pink Nike uniforms Tuesday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.

The uniforms will be worn as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, Oct. 11, when the Mountaineers take on St. John’s at 1 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game in joining WVU’s effort to help fight breast cancer.

“Today is another step towards raising awareness about the most common cancer among women,” said assistant coach Nikki Goodenow. “We have built a strong relationship with the local community and with people throughout the state. Our ladies have worked hard to raise this money for research, and being able to keep the money local means a little more to our program.”

This past spring, the women’s soccer team raised nearly $12,000 in its effort to help kick breast cancer. A check presentation will be made at halftime on Sunday, with all money going to the Betty Puskar Breast Cancer Fund at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center.

Money was raised through individual fundraising, WVU’s “Three’s a Team…the Fourth’s a Mountaineer” all-day tournament and participation in its sixth annual Betty Puskar Breast Care Center Soccer Invitational, against Pitt. The Panthers also contributed to the cause with a generous donation of $2,000 following the match.

“It’s pretty neat to be able to combine soccer and raising money for such a great cause,” said Mailloux. “The spring events are a lot of fun for people of all age groups, all while playing for a purpose.”

Over the past six years, the WVU women’s soccer team has raised more than $48,000 to help fight breast cancer.

“Each year, it seems to gets bigger and bigger,” said Blank. “Everyone sees what we’re doing and knows the importance of raising awareness. I think the soccer community picks up on it more and more every year. It’s just a great cause.”