"I usually play forward, but in the last tournament I played defense. I like hitting people, but I also like scoring goals," he said. "I guess I like defense best."

Zach and four of his Raleigh Speed 10U teammates will put offense and defense to the test July 30 through Aug. 10, when they travel to Cincinnati for the 2008 State Wars Roller Hockey National Championships.

The Raleigh Speed 10U team finished its season June 15, winning first place in the Silver Division of the 2Hot4Ice Nationals by beating the Bridgeville Bulldogs of Pittsburgh at the Dreamsports Center in Apex.

Zach, 11, who is entering sixth grade at Wakefield Middle School, has tried ice hockey but enjoys inline skating more.

"On the floor in Rollerblades, there's less chance of slipping than on the ice," he said.

Joining Zach on the 1997 "A" team representing North Carolina at the State Wars Championships are Tommy Barnes, Harrison Drewitt, Richard Hall and Nathan Nau.