POULSBO — Grass stains reigned as soccer teams came from all over Washington and even parts of Oregon to play in the 21st Viking Cup Tournament, held Memorial Day Weekend at fields around North Kitsap.

Teams played through record breaking high temperatures Friday and Saturday in hopes of coming out No. 1 and while their presence was felt strongly on the pitch, it wasn’t limited to it.

Front Street was crowded and the downtown businesses were packed as the easily spotted players in cleats and shin guards explored Little Norway, searching for air conditioning and trying to stay cool between games.

It took five sites and 11 fields going all day, every day, Friday through Monday for the 135 teams to participate in the Cup.

Each team was guaranteed at least three games during their stay, which means a minimum of 405 games were played over the course of three days.

That requires a lot of referees.

Cam Corey, Viking Cup director, has been assigning refs for the past eight years. If Oregon seemed like a long way to travel for the tournament, try Vancouver, Canada or Sacramento, Calif. Six referees came up from California and roughly 10 traveled from Canada, Corey said.

Overall, 95 referees came to keep things clean on the fields of North Kitsap High School, Poulsbo Junior High, Kingston Junior High and Wolfle Elementary.

“It takes a lot of bodies to put on this tournament. There are only 15 of us on the committee, so most of those here are volunteers.” Corey said, pointing out the many tents by each field.

“(Those) are the field complex volunteers, mostly parents,” Corey added, “They help direct where the teams go and what field they are on.”

The most important job held at the tournament, Corey said, was definitely that of the scorekeeper.

“They have to be so accurate. If they mess up and get the score 5-1 instead of 5-0, believe me, I hear about it,” Corey said laughing,

“It’s like World War III has just come on,” she added.

The ones who had the most fun at the tournament, however, were the teams and players.

Every field sideline was outlined with parents yelling and whistling with fingers crossed and promises of celebratory dinners. How could a kid go wrong?

But for most players, they just come out for their love of the sport.

Todd Stone, who helped direct the tournament and serves as the North Kitsap Soccer Club’s president, was also doubling as coach.

His team, the Strykers, was playing full field for the first time under the BU-11 bracket.

“They are having a blast, not sleeping at night but they are so full of energy when they get to the field.” Stone said, “They just love the game.”