OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Soccer Tournament got underway last week with the first of four weekends for the annual event at Northside Park.

From modest beginnings 24 years ago, the tournament has grown by leaps and bounds and is now one of the largest events of its kind. The 2012 is hosting over 150 teams from all over the mid-Atlantic region competing in 12 divisions over four weekends. Last weekend, the boys’ and girls’ under-18 tournaments were held at Northside Park.

In the boys’ under-18 tournament, BSHU out of Ocean View beat Red Storm, 5-1, in the championship game. On the girls’ side, Team Ambition from Baltimore beat Storm, 3-2, to claim the championship in the under-18 tournament. This weekend, the tournament continues with action practically around the clock at Northside Park as the boys’ and girls’ under-10 and under-14 divisions take center stage. The tournament continues next weekend, March 9-11, with the boys’ and girls under-12 and under-16 tournaments, and concludes on St. Patrick’s Day weekend with the adult men and women’s tournaments.