PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 will holds its annual Soccer Shoot penalty kick contest at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Sunday, Sept. 23, beginning with registration at 10 a.m.
On the same day, the Houlton Lodge of Elks BPOE No. 835 will hold its annual shoot out with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the event starting at 1 p.m. at the Houlton Middle-High School soccer field.
Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Tai Ireland announced the return of this popular fall event, which takes place on the field behind Gentile Hall.
“The Elks Soccer Shoot contest shall, again, as always, be absolutely free of charge to all. The contest will be open to all area youth under 14 years of age,” Ireland said. “The competition will commence at 11 a.m. Spectators are welcome to attend.”
As in earlier years, there will be four age categories, with divisions of each age group for boys and girls 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 will be eligible to compete in the Elks Maine North District Soccer Shoot contest, to be held in Bangor on the following Sunday, Sept. 30.
Different than in past years, only contestants in the youngest age category, 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 15 feet. Increasing points are awarded for successful kicks as the goals become smaller.
Contestants in all three older age categories, will attempt 15 kicks from various distances — 18 feet from the goal for the 8-9 age group; 27 feet from the goal for the 10-11 age group; and 30 feet from the goal for the 12-13 age group. More points are awarded for kicks in the segments of the goal that are tougher to defend, such as the upper corners, the top and the extreme sides. All contestants will use number 4 size soccer balls, except for the 12-13 age group, which will use a standard 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 at both locations.
For more information, parents and contestants may call the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985, or Alan Harding at 764-0131. For Houlton, contact Jon Bither at jacmbither@gmail.com.
