PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — On Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m., the University of Maine at Presque Isle will again host, behind Gentile Hall on the Presque Isle campus, the Soccer Shoot penalty kicking contest sponsored by the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge No. 1954.
Soccer Shoot Director Kevin Sjoberg announced the continuation of this popular, Fall event. “The Elks Soccer Shoot contest shall again, as always, be absolutely free of charge to all,” Sjoberg said. “The contest will be open to all area youth under 14 years of age. Registration will begin on Sunday at 10 a.m. The competition will commence at 11 a.m. Spectators are welcome to attend this exciting youth event.”
As in previous years, there will be four age categories, with divisions of each age group for boys and girls, namely, under age 8; ages 8 and 9; ages 10 and 11; and ages 12 and 13. Winners and runners-up in each division and age group shall receive a trophy.
The eight winners at the Soccer Shoot of the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge No. 1954, will be eligible to compete in the Elks Maine North District Soccer Shoot contest to be held in Ellsworth on the following Sunday, Sept. 29.
Only contestants in the youngest age category, namely under age 8, will utilize the “five-goal” competition. In that contest, each competitor gets three attempts to kick a youth-size soccer ball through each of five different size goals, ranging from 48 inches wide to 17 inches wide, from a distance of fifteen feet.
Increasing points are awarded for successful kicks as the goals become smaller. Contestants in all three older age categories, namely over age 8 through age 13, will attempt 15 “penalty kicks” from a point 18 feet from the goal for the under 10 age group; 27 feet from the goal for the under 12 age group; and 30 feet from the goal for the under 14 age group. More points are awarded to kicks through the segments of the goal which are tougher to defend, namely the upper corners of the goal, the top of the goal, and the extreme sides of the goal. All contestants will use number 4 size soccer balls, except for the oldest age group, who will use a number 5 size soccer ball.
Grilled hot dogs, drinks, and chips will be served by the Elks to all contestants and spectators, free of charge.
For further information, parents and contestants may call the Presque Isle Elks Lodge, 764-0985, or contest director, Kevin Sjoberg, at 554-0029.
