In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the University of St. Thomas-Houston soccer programs will host the Trinity Tigers in a special “Pink Out” night. The games will be played on Oct. 21 at Aveva Stadium at 12131 Kirby Drive in Houston with the men kicking off at 5 p.m. and women at 7:30. This event is dedicated to current UST Soccer Freshman Emma Cerda and her mother Cori who is currently battling breast cancer. 

A Full Day of Events to Raise Awareness

October 21 will kick off with breakfast on campus from 8 - 10:30 a.m. with both men’s and women’s soccer. The teams will share donuts and kolaches with students, staff and faculty at the University seal as  invitations to the games are extended to everyone. Passersby will receive tickets to both matchups and pink ribbons to wear. This all builds up to the games themselves, where both St. Thomas soccer teams will wear pink and special shirts in honor of breast cancer awareness.

UST Welcomes the Local Soccer Community

As the Celt community fills up the Aveva stands for the highly anticipated matchup with the Tigers, St. Thomas soccer also welcomes a local club. Imperial Soccer Club is a co-ed soccer program serving youth from all over the Houston area. The organization is based out of Sugar Land and hosts over 1000 participants. Players will join our UST soccer team on the field as they stand and walk with our athletes to open the match. 

One of the team’s trainers, Kristen “Kiki” Matticks, recently won her battle with breast cancer. Diagnosed with stage two breast cancer last year, she went through two surgeries and radiation and was able to ring the bell in November 2021, signifying her treatment was complete. 

A Smooth Recovery for the Cerda Family

In the summer of 2022, Cori Cerda was diagnosed with early stage ductal breast cancer. After going through many rounds of treatments, her tumor shrunk 99.5%. With this progress, Mrs. Cerda will be able to ring the bell soon. 

“I appreciate the support that everyone has given my family,” freshman soccer player Emma Cerda said. “The prayers mean a lot to my mother and everyone in our family.”

Make plans to attend the UST face-off with rival Trinity Tigers on Oct. 21 at Aveva Stadium. Tickets are $5 for the night, and UST students and faculty get in free. Wear pink for both the men’s match kicking off at 5 p.m. and women’s match at 7:30.