In its 17th consecutive year, the MAC tournament has consistently provided teams with a fantastic way to conclude their tournament season. Offering high-quality games against evenly matched opponents on exceptional playing fields, this event is the ideal way to kick off your summer break, especially with school out.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Girls Weekend | May 4-5, 2024 |
| Boys Weekend | May 11-12, 2024 |
Note: Applications will open in November, 2023
Each year, the Challenger Invitational draws nearly 475 teams from the Mid-Atlantic Region, offering a fantastic opportunity for teams ranging from U09 to U19 to engage in high-quality, evenly matched competition games in early May.
Venues
| Venue Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Classics Soccer Park | 1461 Lancaster Road, Manheim, PA 17545 |
| Conestoga Valley High School | 2110 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 |
| East Petersburg Elementary School | 5700 Lemon Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520 |
| Hempfield High School | 340 Mumma Drive, Landisville, PA 17538 |
| Junction Road Soccer Complex – WJTL Radio | 1875 Junction Road, Manheim, PA 17545 |
| Lititz Road Turf | 1271 Lititz Road, Manheim, PA 17545 |
| Manheim Township High School | Field #1 and #2: 100 Blue Streak Blvd. (100 Blue Streak Drive), Lancaster, PA 17601 <br> Field #3 and #4: 140 Arena Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601 |
| Weaver Road Athletic Complex | 2878 Weaver Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 |
Main Rules of the Game
Soccer, also known as football worldwide, is a simple and universally appealing sport played between two teams of 11 players. The main objective is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s net. Key rules include:
- No Hands, Except for Goalkeepers: Players can’t use their hands, except for goalkeepers who can use them only within the penalty area;
- Offside Rule: A player is offside if they’re closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them;
- Fouls and Free Kicks: Common fouls result in free-kicks or penalties if committed in the penalty area;
- Yellow and Red Cards: Yellow for warnings, red for ejection; a red card means playing with one player short;
- Throw-ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks: Ball out over the sideline is a throw-in; over the goal line by the attacking team is a goal kick, and by the defending team is a corner kick.
https://www.paclassics.org/mid-atlantic-cup
Conclusion
As soccer tournaments kick off in Pennsylvania, enthusiasts and athletes alike eagerly await the thrills that this beautiful game brings. With top-notch venues and an array of tournaments catering to all age groups and skill levels, the state is a soccer haven.