ANNAPOLIS EARNS SPOT IN FIFTH PLACE GAME WITH 8-4 VICTORY OVER NORTH BEACH

CORONADO, Calif. – Annapolis took a 5-1 first half lead and never looked back in holding off North Beach 8-4 to earn a spot in the fifth place game of the boys' 18-and-under division at the 2010 National State Challenge at Coronado High School's Brian Bent Memorial Aquatic Center.

The star of the game was Max Starsenic who tallied a goal in the first period and two in the second period before finishing with a marker in the fourth period to lead all scorers with four goals.

Overall, Annapolis never trailed opening up a 3-0 lead in the first period courtesy even-strength scoring-shots by Starsenic (4:06) and Konrad Karandy (2:33) before Ridge Porter cashed in a man-up chance with a minute left in the period.

The lead expanded to 5-0 in the second period as Starsenic scored on a man-up bid at 5:27 and rifled home an even-strength goal at 2:44. North Beach broke up the first-half shut-out with 14 seconds remaining in the second period as Jack Wiley powered through the Annapolis defense to move his team to within 5-1 at halftime.

Following a third period in which Karandy notched another score at the 2:36 mark to make it 6-1, North Beach ripped off three straight goals as Jake Eaton found the back of the cage at 5:00 and 4:24. Wiley finished off the run with a tally at the 2:59 mark to make it 6-4, but Starsenic (1:21) and Peter Doetsch (00:28) cushioned the lead out to the 8-4 final score to end North Beach's comeback bid.

Annapolis will wrap-up its participation in the National State Challenge on Sunday, July 25 at 11:00 a.m. in the fifth place game against Pittsburgh. North Beach will compete in the seventh place game at 9:00 a.m. against Coronado.