SALEM, Va. -- The Roanoke men's soccer team hosted and participated it's 10th annual Goal-a-Thon last Friday night in Kerr Stadium to benefit Micah's Backpack.

During the Goal-a-Thon, the men's soccer team was divided into teams of five players plus goalkeepers. They played organized, timed, "small-sided," six-on-six games at the Kerr Stadium field until a combined total of 100 goals were scored. Over the past two months, the players took donations of $0.25 per goal scored. Thanks to the support of generous donors, the Maroons were able to raise almost $4,000, half of which will be donated to Micah's Backpack.  Over the last 10 years, the Maroons have donated more than $20,000 to Micah's Backpack through the Goal-A-Thon.

Micah's Backpack addresses children's hunger issues by partnering with local schools to provide direct assistance to students and families who qualify for the free lunch program. Each week during the school year, the identified students receive a backpack filled with enough food for the weekend. The backpacks include two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Weekly, nearly 70 volunteers from various academic, civic, and religious groups work together building community while packing the backpacks and the partner schools distribute the backpacks to the students.

Rising senior Till Schumacher scored the first goal of the event at 7:03 PM and completed the mission by scoring the 100^th goal just over 2 hours and twenty minutes later. In between, the 25^th goal was scored by Antonio Luta, the 50^th goal was scored by rising senior Alex Lopacinski, and the 75^th by Evan McIntyre. The winner of the "golden boot" award for most goals scored was won by rising junior Girom Affolter for the second consecutive year, scoring 15 of the 100 goals. Graduating senior goalkeeper Jacob Humer won the "golden gloves" award, allowing the fewest of the 100 goals scored on the night. Freshman Carter Laatsch won the award for the most ground covered during the event, running a total 11.55 km throughout the event. Sophomore Cameron Viator claimed the top earner, securing the high highest donation amount for Micah's Backpack.   

At the conclusion of the 100th goal, the teams were seeded into a tournament format where the team consisting of Dylan Berk, Michael Ramsey, Kyle Butcher, Gabriel Hendi, Sheldon Blue, McIntyre and Humer won a thrilling final.

The Maroons return to action next this spring as they will face off against Division I opponent Radford in Radford, VA on Tuesday, April 18^th at 7:00 PM, then compete in the Roanoke College Alumni Game at 8:00 PM on Friday, April 21^st at Kerr Stadium.