In the hours following the phone call that delivered her breast cancer diagnosis, Toni Pressley sought comfort on the soccer pitch.
It was a Friday, the day before the Pride were hosted the Washington Spirit. For Pressley, the game served as the perfect escape. For 24 hours, she focused on soccer — warming up at Exploria Stadium, directing the backline to a 4-3 victory.
It was the team’s first home win of the season, a moment meant to be filled with joy. But sitting on the field after the final whistle, Pressley could barely hold back tears.