EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team opens Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Saturday as they host the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. But for senior Megan Hanson (Sr.-Verona, Wis.), the day is more than just a conference opener.

Saturday will be "Playing for a Cause-Joan Hanson Foundation" Day as the Blugolds bring attention to a foundation that hits close to home. The foundation, whose mission is to empower children in the Madison area to lead healthy and active lives through sports, was created in honor of Joan Hanson, Megan's mother.

Joan Hanson lost her battle with cancer just two weeks before Megan was to report to preseason camp at UW-Eau Claire in 2012.

"It was tough," said Megan. "But I knew that my family wanted me to go after the things I was passionate about—soccer and nursing—and my dad and sister (Molly) really wanted me to pursue it. My mom would have been mad if I didn't follow my dreams."

Megan had visited campus with her family the year before to check out the nursing and soccer programs and it wasn't just Megan who fell in love with UWEC.

"Mom really loved this campus too," said Megan. "Later when I was trying to decide [where to attend college] my mom was the one that pushed me to follow my dream to play soccer and go to UWEC."

During the recruiting process, head coach Sean Yengo regularly checked in with the family to see how Joan was doing.

"I spoke with Megan's mom about how close our team is and the family environment that we have created, which has an amazing support system in place," said Yengo. "I spoke at length with her father, Jim, and we both agreed one of the best things for Megan would be to come to preseason and be with the team."

Megan's Blugold family was there for her every step of the way, and having some familiar faces definitely helped the transition to college soccer.  

"[Fellow senior] Ashley Seymour and I have been friends since high school," said Megan. "Our families are really close and having her here and staying with her during the preseason really helped me get through it. I couldn't have done it without the support I had here.

"Mom's thing was being happy and fit…they coincide together," said Megan. "Being active through sports is how I met a lot of my friends and it paid back when I needed support; I relied on my friends through athletics."

While her Blugold family has and continues to be there for Megan, she has also made an impact on her teammates and the program as well.

"Megan is what we call the total package," said Yengo. "She has amazing work ethic, she leads with her head and her heart and is a tier three competitor; in other words, she is always competing and wants to win no matter what she is playing. I am sure many of these qualities came from her mom and in these last four years have seen tremendous growth in all these areas."

This made choosing this year's cause an easy one for the soccer program. Not only does the Joan Hanson Foundation honor the mother of one of their own, it supports a cause that goes hand in hand with women's soccer.

Established in 2014, the organization offers youth sport assistance in Madison, Wis. and the
surrounding area. The JHF is committed to enhancing the character and health of economically disadvantaged children through the positive experience of sports. For more information or donate to the Joan Hanson Foundation, visit their website or Facebook page. 

Donations will also be collected at Saturday's matchup, game time is set for 1 p.m. at Bollinger Field.