It was soccer-mania on Sunday in the Lehighton Area High School stadium.

Four adult soccer teams consisting of youth coaches and soccer club members from throughout Carbon County competed against each other while raising money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.

There were both men and women - from their 20s to the 50s and older - representing teams from Lehighton, Towamensing Township, Jim Thorpe and the Panther Valley.

The four-hour event was hosted by the Lehighton Area Youth Soccer Club.

Brandon Frey, president of the club, said such soccer matches have been held in the past but the last one occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic. When they are held, he said, different clubs host them and proceeds are given to various charities.

The last one that was held had been hosted by the Towamensing Soccer Club and was held in the Palmerton High School stadium. That series of soccer games benefited the Bo Tkach Foundation.

Frey was pleased with the turnout and the weather for this year’s events. Temperatures started cool - in the upper 50s - but climbed into the 70s as the matches progressed.

The participants didn’t play merely for fun. Although socialization between the teams was a major component, on the field the players blocked, kicked the ball hard, worked for goals and worked up sweats. Participants were from 20-something individuals to men and women in their 50s or older.

Allison Chase, president of the Towamensing Soccer Association, said she took part because “it’s for a good cause and it’s a lot of fun. All of the clubs look forward to this. It’s about having fun but it also helps charities.”

She added that it also expands their knowledge of the sport that can help them when instructing.

Several hundred spectators attended the tournament, paying a donation when they entered the gates.

Other methods of raising funds at the event were a refreshment stand, the sale of a large selection of baked goods, a 50/50 drawing and a basket raffle.

Brian Meckes, vice president of the Lehighton club, said he was thrilled by the number of participants and community support.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said, “but it’s also for a good cause.”

Teams played 20-minute games against each other with officials present and scores kept. Although they weren’t sanctioned teams, goalies dove at the ball, expert players and kicks were made that covered long yardage. The soccer players competed for a team trophy that was awarded at the end of the event.