WETHERSFIELD - An annual Wethersfield tradition will once again pay tribute to three town residents and accomplished athletes who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.

       And it will be doing it through the game that all three of them loved. Wethersfield High School will host the 14th annual Winton-Keane-Bittner Soccer Jamboree, a pre-season high school soccer exhibition game tournament, Saturday, Sept. 5, at Cottone Field. The opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m.

       The round robin tournament, which features boys and girls high school soccer teams from towns in the area, is held in honor of David Winton, Richard Keane and Jeffrey Bittner, all of whom played or coached in Wethersfield.

       Winton has been described as an attacking-minded defender known for his strong left foot. He captained both the Wethersfield High School soccer team and baseball team. He worked as the vice president of the firm Keefe, Bruyett & Woods.

       Keane was a Marine officer and senior vice president in risk consulting for the firm Marsh McLennan. He also coached his five sons in a variety of sports in Wethersfield.

       Bittner played soccer and baseball in Wethersfield before enrolling in Kingswood Oxford High School, where he earned varsity letters in football, ice hockey and lacrosse. He also worked at Keffe, Bruyett & Woods, as an analyst.

       The tournament will feature both a boys and girls division, each made up of four teams. Wethersfield, Staples, Kingswood Oxford and Fermi High Schools fill the boys division. The girls teams are Wethersfield, Northwest Catholic, Plainville and Newington.

       The event will kick off with a parade of teams representing all levels of Wethersfield’s youth soccer program. They will march from the entrance of the facility to the center of Cottone Field.

       Soccer clinics will take place before and after the opening ceremony.

       â€�"It’s a great event,” said George D. Ritchie Soccer Club President and Event Chair Stathis Manousos. â€�"I’m honored to be Chair. It’s a great kickoff to the high school and youth soccer seasons. We can’t get this done without the volunteers. I appreciate everybody who donated their time.”