On Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 at 10 a.m., the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge 1954, will host its annual Soccer Shoot penalty kicking contest on the athletic field at the University of Maine at Presque Isle behind the Gentile Hall athletic complex.
The Elks Soccer Shoot contest is free and is open to all youth under 14 years of age as of Aug. 1, 2016. There are divisions for boys and girls and four age categories for the contest: under age 8, ages 8 and 9, ages 10 and 11 and ages 12 and 13.
Trophies are awarded to winners and runners-up in each division and age group. All winners are eligible to compete in the State Soccer Shoot contest to be held at the Augusta Elks Lodge on Oct. 15. The Presque Isle Elks will pay for the travel expenses of local winners to the state contest.
Contestants in the categories under age 10 get three attempts to kick a soccer ball through each of the five different size goals, ranging from 48 inches down to 17 inches, with increasing points awarded as the goals decrease in size.
Contestants in the two older age categories attempt 15 “penalty kicks” from 36 feet away from the goal, with more points being awarded to kicks in the quadrants of the goal toughest to defend, namely the corners.
The Elks will be serving grilled hot dogs, soda and chips, which will be provided free of charge to all contestants and their parents.
For further information, parents and contestants may call the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985 or Michael LaFrance, event director, at 227-4584.
