The Piedmont College women’s lacrosse team kicked off its second season in February, and this year the girls are playing in honor of Robin Sommers, the founder of Southside United of Fayetteville, who passed away unexpectedly in early January.

“Coach Sommers has impacted countless lacrosse players across the southside of Atlanta,” according to a statement from the school. “He constantly encouraged them to play at a higher level.”

Sommers coached five current members of the Piedmont team, and they wanted to honor his memory and his role in their development. At the suggestion of former Southside United captain Megan McDowell, the five players will wear purple shoelaces this season in Sommers’ memory.