POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 29, 2015) – The Vassar College field hockey team will host its annual Play4theCure contest this upcoming Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against No. 5 William Smith College.

The Brewers will be hold the contest on a Saturday against a ranked opponent for the second consecutive season, as Vassar College knocked off No. 13 University of Rochester 2-1 last year on its Play4thCure game.

Play4theCure is a fundraising platform for the National Foundation for Cancer Research, which provides funding worldwide to the best scientists to enable cutting edge research that other large cancer organizations can't and won't fund.

Play4theCure inspires young athletes and their teams to leverage their passion for sports to "Play4" loved ones affected by cancer and encourage them to actively participate in working to fund cancer research to make a difference.

Play4theCure was founded in 2006 by Tina Reinprecht, coach of the Mystx Field Hockey Club in Feasterville, PA and a current board member of USA Field Hockey. Play4theCure began as an annual indoor field hockey tournament to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.

With the help of Play4theCure and individual donors, NFCR has delivered over $320 million leading to many breakthroughs, including prevention strategies, earlier diagnosis and new anticancer drugs and therapies.

In three seasons, Play4theCure has experienced tremendous growth, increasing from 100 to over 500 annual events. "The Vassar field hockey team participated in the Play4theCure the month of October last year and it's something we are hoping to make a team tradition every year," said head coach Michael Warari. "We hope that others can join us in this endeavor this weekend."