Barrage Lose Season Opener
Published on June 2, 2002 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CONN., June 2, 2002 â The Bridgeport Barrage, Connecticut's only professional lacrosse team and a charter member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), lost their 2002 season opener to the Long Island Lizards, 21-8, before 2,850 fans at Hofstra Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University.
The Barrage got on the scoreboard first, benefitting from an overhand two-point shot by Roy Colsey from the top of arc. Bridgeport surged to a 4-1 lead on another goal by Colsey and a fast-break score by Nick Polanco (Hofstra '02), who was the Barrage first round selection (4th overall) in Saturday's 2002 MLL Collegiate Draft. However, Long Island scored six unanswered goals, including two by Casey Powell, to take a 7-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Bridgeport trimmed the deficit to 7-6 on a pair of goals by midfielder Matt Striebel and attackman Dan Denihan, but that was the closest Bridgeport would get after Long Island went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-6 lead heading into the locker room. In an unsettled situation leading to the final score before halftime, Bridgeport goalie Jim Mule found himself out of goal, allowing an empty net tally by Lizards midfielder Matt O'Kelly (assisted by Greg McCavera).
Bridgeport opened the third quarter scoring as Denihan netted his second goal of the game within the first minute of play. Nonetheless, the Barrage were held scoreless for the next 10 minutes as the Lizards seized control of the game, en route to the 21-8 victory.
Midfielder Roy Colsey had a hat trick for the Barrage, including the only two-point shot of the game. Casey Powell led all scorers with six points (5g, 1a) and was named Bud Light's Game Most Valuable Player. Jim Mule started in goal for the Barrage and made 15 saves, while Long Island's Larry Falkman was awarded with the SoBe Iron Lizard Award after making 13 saves of his own.
The 12-goal defeat suffered by the Barrage was the largest in MLL history. The 21 goals by the Lizards was the most points ever scored against the Barrage. The eight goals by Bridgeport was an All-Time team low.
The Barrage will resume play on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. when they travel to Commerce Bank Ballpark to take on the New Jersey Pride.
LAX FACTS: The Bridgeport Barrage, Connecticut's only professional lacrosse team and a charter member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), announced that they have made several roster moves to bolster their squad for 2002. The team drafted defensemen Nick Polanco (Hofstra '02) with the fourth overall pick in Saturday's 2002 MLL Collegiate Draft and also acquired defenseman Mike Adams from the Rochester Rattlers in exchange for several draft picks...the following are the complete list of Barrage selections from the 2002 MLL Collegiate Draft: defenseman Nick Polanco, Hofstra (1st Round, 4th overall); midfielder Devin Ryan, Notre Dame, (4th round,19th overall); midfielder Josh Tankersley, Towson (4th round, 21st overall); midfielder Mark Morley, UMass (5th round, 25th overall); midfielder Nick Russo, Virginia (5th round, 29th overall).
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 2, 2002
- Barrage Lose Season Opener - Philadelphia Barrage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
