My Mom Would Be Proud: Plainfield Girls Soccer Unites for Cancer Awareness
A Night of Love, Loss, and Legacy
Bailey Errett’s emotions caught up with her during warmups. The junior midfielder was nervous, consumed by the scenes in the stands and the plaza beyond the Plainfield soccer field. Wednesday's game vs. Perry Meridian marked the second annual Jill Errett Memorial match, a night dedicated to Bailey's mom, who passed away last September following a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
A sizable crowd was on-hand for the event, which included a variety of fundraisers and raffles, with proceeds going toward the Erretts and the family of freshman Lily Haskell, whose mom, Stephanie, is battling breast cancer.
"My mom would be so beyond happy," Bailey smiled.
At the end of the row of tables and tents, situated between the football and soccer fields next to the concession stand, was a memorial to Jill; a collection of family photos, personal items and a blanket with her photo stitched into it that was displayed at her memorial service. Another, smaller table was set up across the way, this one with a bouquet of flowers and a framed photo of Bailey and Jill that was encircled by: "Mom and Bailey | Forever thankful for the years of love and laughter | Our song — 'Cover Me in Sunshine' by Pink."
She is a star soccer player. But her life’s purpose is to serve others.
Keeping Her Memory Alive
"I keep her in the back of my mind throughout everything that I do," Bailey said. "I'm just trying to keep her memory alive no matter what I'm doing or where I'm at."
As warm-ups commenced, first-year Plainfield coach Londyn Feasel tried to ease Bailey's nerves, reminding her of her heroics in this match last year — she scored her first career goal in a 1-0 win over Whiteland — with Jill in attendance.
"You got this. Just be confident."
"(Bailey) has all the ability in the world and is really composed. Sometimes you just need to build them up a little bit," Feasel smiled.
"I love Londyn," said Bailey, who scored a goal in Wednesday's 9-0 win over Perry Meridian. "She was a rock that I depended on last year, too."
Making the Event Bigger and Better
In organizing this year's event, Bailey and the Plainfield girls soccer booster club set out with the same ideas as last season — only with aspirations of making them "bigger and better." To that end, there were raffles, a bake sale, a friendship bracelet station and a variety of concession items available, including Sodeez, a local company that sells custom dirty sodas, with additional opportunities to donate via Venmo.
"It's really important to keep the memory of my mom alive, to bring awareness to cancer and to support Lily during her mom's battle and recovery," Bailey said. "Doing this each year has definitely been something our team and the fans really look forward to — everyone in our school has been posting about it. It just makes a world of a difference."
A Unique Bond
Bailey has formed a unique bond with Lily, a connection not many can relate to. They depend on each other, the junior team captain said, and she does her best to be there for her freshman teammate regardless of what's happening in her life, because she knows that's what Lily needs. "I'm trying to be almost like a sister to her."
When it came time to design shirts for Wednesday's event, Bailey and teammate Emma Conners incorporated colors for brain cancer and breast cancer awareness with the message "We fight together."
Leadership and Compassion
This sort of thing — the leadership and how she cares for her teammates — comes naturally for Bailey, Feasel said. She has a way of taking everyone under her wing and looking after them.
"Bailey just comes out here and is a rock star every day," Feasel continued. "I am so impressed by her and the way she carries herself. She has such a quiet strength and confidence, and it really shows both on the field and off. … I'm so proud of her."
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