Montverde Academy prepares for annual soccer tournament
Montverde Academy will host its 10th annual Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament next week at the Montverde Academy Sports Complex.
This year’s field three-event includes club teams from around the state, including Weston FC, Club Med Academies, Tampa Bay United, Florida Rush, and Lake Nona Lions, in addition to three teams from the Soccer Institute of Montverde Academy.
“The Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament is a tradition we look forward to each and every year,” said SIMA Director and Co-Founder Mike Potempa. “This year’s event promises to be another great opportunity for our student-athletes to compete against some of the best youth programs throughout Florida. We are really looking forward to playing in front of the support of our faculty, staff, and student body.”
The tournament begins Thursday with multiple games at Bishop Gate Stadium beginning at 2 p.m. and concluding with the championship game March 20. The public is invited to attend, although seating is limited and tournament-long passes, which also includes parking, are available for $30.
Face masks are required while on campus and everyone entering the stadium will be subject to a temperature check.
Potempa has coached Montverde Academy since the 2010-11 season. During his tenure, he led to the Eagles to a 216-match unbeaten streak, which ended Dec. 17, 2018 with a 4-2 loss to South Lake.
It was the first blemish on Potempa’s ledger with the Eagles and Montverde Academy has lost only once since.
Montverde Academy has won eight of the previous nine MASTs. The Eagles won the first MAST in 2012 with a 3-1 victory against Delray Beach American Heritage.
The MAST is considered by many to be one of the top high-school level tournaments each year, having attracted many of the top teams and top players from the around the country.
Among the past players who represented Montverde Academy in the MAST are: Andre Shinyashiki, a 2015 graduate and who went to player for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer and was the league’s Rookie of the Year, and Diego Campos, a 2014 graduate who played for the MLS’ Chicago Fire.
“The MAST is a great tournament,” said Campos. “(Potempa) and (Montverde Headmaster) Dr. Kasey Kesselring made an effort of bringing in the best teams they can possibly find, so it was always an honor to represent Montverde Academy and to play for SIMA in such a great tournament.”
Opportunities remain for anyone wishing to be a tournament sponsor. Sponsorship packages included VIP Parking, access to the Hospitality Tent and tournament advertising.
Tournament officials say there are three sponsorship levels available for family and company participation.
For more information about becoming a MAST sponsor, contact Jeff Osterman at jeff.osterman@montverde.org.