INDIANA SOCCER CONCLUDED THE 2nd ANNUAL MEMORIAL CUP

June 6, 2016 04:29 PM

The 2nd Annual Indiana Memorial Cup took place at Grand Park in Westfield, IN. Despite rainy weather, nearly 200 games were played by boys and girls under 10 years old. The Memorial Cup will take place every year in remembrance of the Indiana soccer players and referees who lost their lives too soon. Games kicked off Saturday morning with an opening ceremony balloon release and moment of silence to commemorate each of their lives.

A short presentation took place later in the day that represented each player being honored and their families.

"The most important part of this weekend was to remember the very special lives that were tragically lost. We were honored to be able to provide a memorium for them in a way they would have loved: by playing soccer," Indiana Soccer's Director of Member Services, Sarah Cantwell said.

The Indiana Memorial Cup was inspired by the loss of Rachael Fiege, who began her soccer career at Zionsville Youth Soccer Association (ZYSA) at the age of 5. Her journey facilitated the development of numerous friends and a passion for the game as she began playing travel soccer for Dynamo FC, FC Pride and Carmel United. She also participated in Indiana’s Olympic Development Program where she was named to the Indiana State Team and attended several Region ll Camps. Rachael played for Cathedral and Zionsville High School, obtained her TOPSoccer coaching certificate and served as a technical trainer for the ZYSA Girl’s Academy. When permission to name the cup after Rachael was requested, her parents, Rick and Angi Fiege, stated that they would be honored but requested that the event be expanded to honor all of Indiana’s Youth Soccer players and referees that have left us far too early. As a result of Rick and Angi’s personal insight and compassion for those in the Indiana Soccer Family who have suffered the loss of a child, teammate, player and/or sibling, Indiana Soccer and the Indiana Soccer Foundation are honored to provide the Indiana Memorial Cup to pay tribute to those players and referees whom we have lost much too soon.

To see highlights and photos from the weekend, click here.

To stay up to date with what's happening in Indiana Soccer, follow Indiana Soccer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you or anyone you know has information on Indiana Soccer players that have left us too soon, we would love to be able to honor them and their families in 2017. Please email Becky Kapsalis with names and any contact information that you may have for the player / family and she will contact the family.

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