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10/25/2017 12:00 AMHalle DiCrosta grew up playing soccer from the age of five, competing at the park and rec, middle school, and travel league levels. When she was in 8th grade, Halle received some devastating news when she was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, forcing her to miss much of that school year. However, Halle made a triumphant return to the soccer field as a freshman at Morgan, and now she’s three years into remission from the disease. She’s also in her senior season as a forward for the Huskies.
As a result of Halle’s experience, she and her family started a charitable organization called HD Strong. Throughout the past three years, the organization has raised more than $30,000 for the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven.
“In 8th grade, I found a lump in my neck. We went to various doctors, and they told us what it was,” Halle says. “Dealing with it definitely wasn’t easy, but I had a lot of support from my friends, family, and the community. With all of them having my back, it helped make things easier.”
Halle and her squad own a record of 11-2-2 and are headed to the postseason this fall. Halle says the Huskies have a cohesive club, and nothing would make her happier than to end her high school career on a high note by helping Morgan make some major waves in the playoffs.
“With this team, I love how supportive we are of one another, both on the field and off of it,” says Halle, who also does indoor and track and lacrosse at Morgan. “We definitely have a lot of potential to do well in the postseason, and I believe we can make it far, both in Shorelines and in states.”
First-year head coach and previous assistant Steve Sullivan says the courage that Halle has displayed these past few years has made an emotional imprint on everyone on the program. Halle scored a goal for Sullivan’s squad in win against Westbrook on Oct. 12.
“I first met Halle in June of her 8th-grade year at a soccer meeting for all prospective players that fall. Halle approached me after the meeting to discuss her concern about not being able to complete the fitness testing in August. I told her not to worry and that we would work it out,” Sullivan says. “When Opening Day rolled around that fall, I told Halle to only do what she felt comfortable doing. You could see a very determined look on her face. Although struggling a bit, she did everything that everyone else was required to do and better than some. I had to hide a few tears that day. She has shown that strength and determination every day since.”
“We have always had a pretty loud cheering section, but nothing as loud as when Halle scored a goal against Westbrook this year,” Sullivan continues. “Halle is beloved by all of her teammates and has shown a great amount of leadership this year by looking after a lot of younger players on the team. Her courage has been an inspiration to all of us and has been a huge factor in the continued success of our team.”
Halle’s victory over Hodgkin’s has helped establish the groundwork for one of her goals outside of soccer as she’s aspiring to work in the medical profession. Although Halle had to travel a long road to return to the soccer field, the journey helped her discover many valuable life skills, such as the importance of staying strong while faced with grueling obstacles.
“I can’t play as much or as hard as I used to, and it was hard not playing my entire 8th-grade year and a struggle coming back my freshman year and getting back to where I used to be,” says Halle, who thanks her family, coaches, friends, and entire team. “This whole experience has helped me build my character.”