MILTON, Mass. - On Friday April 24, the Curry women's soccer team welcomed Liisa Budge-Johnson to their soccer "family." 

Liisa, who recently graduated from Curry with a Bachelor's degree in Communication, spoke to the players in the Athletic Department lounge on a variety of topics ranging from her personal soccer/athletic experiences, to Title IX, and her current personal battle with stage 4 breast cancer.

Liisa is the Co-Director of the Score For A Cure Breast Cancer Soccer Tournament held in Plymouth, Mass. (now in its 7th successful year).  She has also organized the annual 4th of July Parade in Plymouth, and has been part of several animal rights organizations throughout the country. She is a graduate of Plymouth-Carver High School, Massasoit Community College and Curry College.

Liisa's friendship with Coach Tassinari goes back almost 20 years when they met at the Plymouth Sports Dome (now JunglePlex) in 1997.

"Except for a few times she told me I made a bad call as a referee, or had the music too loud near her head on the P.A., or scheduled one of her women's games too late at night, we've had a great friendship and connection over the years," Colonels' Head Coach Jason Tassinari said with a smile. "I admire her passion for soccer, her love of playing the goalkeeper position, and her genuine care for others.  She is one of the most authentic, honest, and transparent people I have ever met in my life."

"No one has a date on their head that indicates when they are going to die," Liisa said to the team. "So live each day like it's your last because no one knows when their time will come.  I hope to beat breast cancer and be around for 20 years, but I know that isn't realistic. I live each day knowing that someday there will be a cure for cancer and I want to be here to see it. Enjoy being a college student-athlete. This should be one of the most enjoyable times of your life. You have one job ladies…get good grades. The real world will come soon enough after you graduate. Don't take this (being a member of a college soccer team) for granted."

"Liisa is a true inspiration and someone who had a profound effect on my team this morning," said Coach Tassinari.  "Going forward, I hope my players wake up every morning and think about Liisa…her energy, her positive outlook, her love of life, and her passion for sports.  Meeting someone like her who is going through so much right now makes you fully appreciate the little things in life, and not taking anything for granted.  That was really her most important message to my team today."

Coach Tassinari had Liisa come to Curry to speak to his players as part of his goal to have strong, influential women periodically address his players.

"Strong female role models are so important to female athletes," said Coach Taz, "and Liisa is certainly that. As lucky as I am to have her impart some of her wisdom and life lessons on my team today, I'm even luckier to have called her a friend the past 20 years."

"Her remarkable story showed her strength," said junior captain Taylor Evans. "She encouraged me to take life day by day and not for granted. Her strength was incredibly admirable."

Junior Kelsey O'Brien said: "I thought Liisa was very inspirational and had a positive outlook on everything even though she's battling cancer."

Tracy Manion, a Milton Police Officer, will be speaking to the Curry Women's Soccer Team next week.