UPDATED: Monday, 11:46 a.m., to include funeral information
Nicole Dennion '16, the former women's soccer player who's battled forms of cancer since her sophomore year at Elon University, died Saturday, according to a former teammate. She was 22.
Dennion, of Ewing, New Jersey, was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in spring 2014. She had surgery to remove a tumor, was cleared by doctors and returned to school at Elon the following spring, but later faced complications. She returned for women's soccer Senior Day 2015.
She graduated from Elon in May with a degree in Exercise Science while also working as a physical therapist's aide and coaching U12 club girls soccer team.
In recent weeks, her former teammates launched a social media campaign encouraging collegiate women's soccer teams to send their support to Dennion.
According to the post, Dennion tried stem-cell treatments and a clinical trial at a hospital in Massachusetts, but none of the treatments proved successful. The tumors spread to her chest, causing further complications, and she had a device implanted to help her deal with the pain.
Dennion earned Southern Conference Player of the Year honors in 2013 after scoring 15 goals and helping Elon to a runner-up finish in the SoCon Tournament.
"We are deeply saddened to learn the news of Colie’s passing. She inspired the entire Elon community with her fierce and courageous spirit in competition and in the fight against her disease,” said Dave Blank, director of athletics, in a statement. “Today her family, teammates, coaches and friends are in our prayers. We will all miss Colie, but will never forget the impact she made on our university, the Phoenix family and the many lives she touched."
Dennion's family will hold a visitation from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 10 at Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, NJ 08505. Dennion's funeral will be Friday morning, Nov. 11, at St. Mary's Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, NJ 08505. A time has not been announced.
Alex Simon contributed reporting.