Local soccer player Sophie Cannon fights leukemia
Sophie Strong.
That was the theme of Saturday’s soccer match against Otero Junior College from Colorado.
The Utah State University Eastern women’s team, hosted a fundraiser for teammate Sophie Cannon who has been battling leukemia.
Attendees were asked to donate to the Cannon family to help pay Sophie’s medical expenses. The Lady Eagles kicked off under Sophie’s motto, “Don’t quit until you have nothing left.”
Morgan Hall opened the scoring for the Eagles, halfway through the first-half, tapping in winger McKenna Wiscombe’s cross at the far post. She scored her fifth goal of the season just before the break again sneaking in at the back post, this time from Madison Nicholls pass. USUE caught the Rattlers on the counterattack after an Otero corner kick was cleared off the line.
At half-time Sophie Cannon was honored with a special ceremony. Dressed in the Lady Eagles special orange and black kit, she beat goalkeeper Mya Massey with a special penalty kick, before being swamped by her teammates and players from the men’s team.
The Lady Eagles looked flat in the second half unable to create many chances. With 11 minutes left McKenna Wiscombe scored number three, as Logan Duran’s speed got her behind the defense to set up the goal. Logan Duran scored herself in the dying minutes her pace causing havoc in the Rattlers backline. Latching on to Morgan Cragun’s through ball she made it 4-0, after her initial shot was blocked by Otero’s goalkeeper.
“Not our best effort, kind of sloppy, kept them in the game too long,” said Head Coach Ammon Bennett. The Lady Eagles are now 4-2-1 after the non-conference win. They host defending conference champion Snow College, Friday and Saturday. Friday kick-off is 1 p.m.
“I’m doing okay,” said leukemia survivor Sophie Cannon after the game.” Coach Bennett gave me a scholarship. I’m going through chemo, I have a year of treatment left,” said Sophie after taking pictures with her teammates. The cancers gone, the treatment deteriorates the joints, for that reason she’s not able to play soccer,” added mother Shannon.