The ALS Soccer Cup returns after a two-year absence due the COVID-19 pandemic with four high school soccer matches over the next week featuring four Eastern Connecticut Conference schools.

The ALS Cup kicks off on Saturday with Ledyard hosting the Bacon Academy boys at 11 a.m. at Bill Mignault Field. The Ledyard girls will host Bacon in the second game on Tuesday at 6 p.m., and the event concludes on Saturday, Oct. 29, with a doubleheader at East Lyme’s Dick North Field. The Vikings will host Waterford in a girls’ game at 2 p.m., with the boys’ game to follow at 4.

Prior to the two-year pause, the ALS Cup raised over $35,000 since 2014 that went directly to local families affected by the disease. Prior to that (the ALS Cup began in 2006), all funds raised went to ALS reseach.

Bacon Academy replaced Montville this season, but the ALS Cup committe plans to expand in 2023 with Montville and St. Bernard joining Bacon, Ledyard, East Lyme and Waterford.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that paralyzes the body but leaves the mind intact. To date there is no cure, but progress is being made.

If you are aware of a family affected by ALS that could use financial assistance or want to make a donation, contact ALS Soccer Cup Inc., P.O. Box 188, New London, CT 06320.