Women's Soccer 9/20/2018 5:53:00 PM

WSOC | Gaels Welcome Newest Signee Sunnidae Ross

The Saint Marys' women's soccer team held a press conference Wednesday night to announce their new, inspiring signee Sunnidae Ross.

MORAGA, Calif. — Six weeks into the 2018 season, Saint Mary's signed their latest recruit at a press conference on Wednesday night in a heart-warming tale about perseverance and courage.

Sunnidae Ross, better known as Sunni, was only 12 years old this January when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

After weeks of persistent headaches, Sunni was examined at a local hospital and was immediately sent into surgery at Children's Hospital Oakland the next morning. Sunni spent nearly two weeks in the hospital following her operation and as her mother (Megan) recalls, one of the first sentences to come out of her mouth as she awoke from surgery was, "Make sure you call my coach and let him know I won't be at practice today."

"Sunni has always been a die-hard soccer fan," explained Megan.

It's true. Sunni has been playing soccer since she was just five years old and currently is a member of Benicia Arsenal FC in her hometown of Benicia. Despite her treatments, Sunni had been playing competitively for her team up until July and still shows up to watch and root for her team whenever possible.

"I love soccer, any type of soccer," said Sunni at her signing.

Enter Team IMPACT. The non-profit organization connects children facing chronic and serious illnesses with collegiate athletics teams in order to build meaningful relationships that have life-long, positive effects. Earlier this year, Saint Mary's men's soccer also connected with Team IMPACT and signed 7-year old Quentin "Squishy" Rios to be a member of their team.

After learning of the organization through the men's team, Gaels' women's soccer head coach Travis Clarke and his staff immediately reached out in hopes of finding a match. Once Team IMPACT suggested Sunni as a potential signee, "we couldn't have said yes quick enough," said Clarke.

Sunni and the Gaels have been a great fit ever since their introduction. Clarke noted that his team is constantly talking about her in the locker room and during practice and are buzzing with excitement to have her around this season. The feeling is reciprocal for Sunni as well.

"It was very cool meeting them," said Sunni of her new teammates. "They're all very tall and very nice. It's fun being a part of the team, even if I don't have to play."

At her signing, Clarke admired how Sunni continued to support and cheer for her club team, in spite of the constant battle with her condition.

"I think that's the definition of a good teammate and Sunni exemplifies all of it," said Clarke.

The now-13 year old's selflessness and embodiment of a great teammate extends off the field just as much as it does on. After the press conference, the team presented Sunni with a congratulatory cake to celebrate the signing. She immediately gave the first slice of cake to one of her friends in attendance and continued to distribute pieces to her family and teammates until everyone had a piece of their own. Only then did she take a plate for herself.

The doctors have told Sunni's family her treatment will continue into the new year until approximately March. Clarke and the Gaels hope to be with Sunni through every step of her care and indefinitely afterwards.

"Our goal with this whole process is we don't want everything to end today," Clarke told his newest player at the presser. "We want you around as much as you want to be around us. We would love to have you as a part of our team from now until forever."

Perhaps Sunni incidentally described her battle with her condition the best while discussing the difference between women's and men's soccer at her press conference.

"I feel like girls' soccer is graceful yet aggressive. The girls can take the hits but also do it in a graceful way."

Indeed, Sunni continues to fight her fight just as she plays on the field: taking the hits life throws at her while recovering gracefully and moving forward with a huge, bright smile on her face.

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