Club team skates to a title
In-line hockey players come up big at national championships

CHAMPS- Team Warrior celebrates its U-10 Mite Gold Division title.

Team Warrior 97's captured the in-line hockey 2007 Winter Nationals Championship for the U-10 Mite Gold Division at the highly regarded NARCH Winter Nationals Tournament, which took place Jan. 11-15 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Team Warrior went undefeated in roundrobin play, displaying a high-powered offense while winning its first three games by outscoring the opposition 28-4.

The Warriors would then go on to beat a very tough Vancouver, Canada, hockey team in the semifinals, 42, to head into the championship game vs. the Arizona Mission Stars.

The championship game proved to be one of the most exciting and dramatic games of the entire tournament, as the Warriors tied the game in regulation at 33 with two minutes remaining to send it into overtime.

In overtime, on a penalty kill, the Warriors' Evan Somoza was able to score the winning goal despite being short handed to capture the title, 4-3.

The Warrior's offensive attack was led by Evan Somoza of Simi Valley, who won the top scorer award for the U10 Division with 21 goals and five assists.

Players on the roster are Jayson DiMizio, Nolan Dunn, Blake Olinger, Emily Mann, Dylan Levy, Matt Nixon, Troy Robertson, Tanner Ronn, Evan Somoza, Blake Terry and Jared Turcotte. Dave Serianne, Eric Somoza and John DiMizio served as team coaches.