NAVY-AC ADVANCES TO TITLE GAME VIA 14-5 VICTORY OVER GREATER SAN DIEGO

CORONADO, Calif. – Navy-AC posted six goals in the first period, overcame a comeback bid in the second period and outscored Greater San Diego 8-1 in the second half to net a 14-5 victory and advance to the 2010 National State Challenge boys' 18-and-under championship game.

Navy, which will face either Greater Philadelphia or Hawaii-Iolani in the 3:00 p.m. title tilt on Sunday, July 25, will be battling for a $1,000 check which is presented to the National State Challenge champion.

For the Blue & Gold eight players discovered the back of the cage with shots led by Tyler Thein who was the sole player to post a hat-trick.

Archie Warren, Tucker Creevy, Sam Butler and Taylor Creevy all added pairs of goals, while Erich Schwamb, Carpenter Warren and Eoghan Foley chipped in markers for Navy which improved to 4-0 in the tournament.

Overall, Navy-AC is outscoring opponents 62-12 for an average score of 15.5-3, including a 19-5 victory over potential title game opponent Greater Philadelphia.

Navy never trailed in the contest as Butler finished a man-up chance at 5:37 of the first period to break the ice. Archie Warren (5:09, 2:00), Tucker Creevy (4:23), Schwamb (3:17) and Thein (2:27) also scored in the opening frame as Navy jumped out to a 6-0 lead.

San Diego climbed back into the contest with a 4-0 scoring advantage in the second period as Bryan Bigornia (5:27), Collin Stanley (4:57) and David Owens (1:48) posted even-strength goals. In addition, Bigornia added a man-up marker (3:03) as the squad pulled to within 6-4 before halftime.

Navy erased the comeback bid in the third period as Butler (2:27), Tucker Creevy (2:01) and Thein (00:49) broke through the San Diego defense for scores to make it 9-4 after 18 minutes of play.

The lead expanded to 14-4 by the 41 second mark of the fourth period as Navy finished off an 8-0 scoring run with five consecutive natural strikes in the period.

San Diego finished off the day's scoring barrage with a man-up goal by Ryan Brush with one second on the clock for the 14-5 final score.

Greater San Diego will next be in action at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the third place game against the loser of a semifinal between Greater Philadelphia and Hawaii-Iolani.