Following three consecutive losses to start the season, the Colonie girls lacrosse team drew inspiration from one of its former players to earn its first victory.
The Lady Raiders (1-4) jumped out to an 8-1 halftime lead and cruised to an 11-3 victory over Ballston Spa in last Thursday night’s Suburban Council game.
In the stands, 2013 Colonie graduate Markel Carras watched her former teammates earn their first victory for new head coach Allison Anaya. Carras has been battling leukemia for several months, and the team decided to hold a fundraiser in honor of her.
Carras said she was surprised by the team’s decision. “I was really shocked and honored, and I didn’t know what to think,” she said.
“She’s always given back to the program by coaching the younger girls at the modified level,” said Anaya. “So, we wanted to do something for her.”
The team was originally going to give Carras the proceeds from the fundraiser, but Carras told the team to donate the money to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation – an organization dedicated to funding research and cures for childhood cancer. Between a silent auction, concession sales and a donation bucket, the event raised approximately $1,900 for St. Baldrick’s.
The game also generated one of the largest home crowds for a Colonie girls lacrosse game in recent history. One side of the stands at Colonie’s varsity lacrosse field was nearly filled, and there were people standing around the field.
“From what I’ve heard, that’s the first time the girls lacrosse team has had a huge crowd turn out like that,” said Anaya. “I think the fact that it was a benefit game helped … but we also showed that we can be a competitive team.”
What the fans saw was Colonie’s best half of the young season. The Lady Raiders controlled the action for much of the first 25 minutes and found the back of the net eight times – the most goals they’ve scored in one half.
Anaya said having Carras there inspired her players.
“It definitely brought our spirits back up,” said Anaya. “The girls have known Markel for a long time. She’s always had a big impact on them.”
“I really like to watch them because I played with most of them – almost all of them, actually,” said Carras.
Carras’ fight against leukemia isn’t over. She still goes to Albany Medical Center’s children’s center to get a special chemotherapy regimen.
“She has a complication to it that makes it more difficult to treat, but there is a special chemotherapy drug they can use,” said Markel’s mother, Cathy Carras.
Markel Carras said the treatment has affected her energy and her stomach, but she draws strength from the many friends and Colonie Central High School coaches and teachers that visit her when she’s in the hospital.
“I have a lot of support,” said Carras.
That support was on full display last Thursday.
“It’s hard, but things like this help me get through it,” said Carras.