Barrage Triumph in Overtime
June 30, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Downingtown, PA (June 30, 2007) - The Philadelphia Barrage defeated the Long Island Lizards, 14-13, in dramatic fashion to preserve an undefeated home record and to propel themselves into a first-place tie with the Lizards. In front of 2,448 fans, the largest crowd at United Sports Training Center this year, the Barrage came back to win in overtime on Roy Colsey's goal two minutes into the extra period. His winning goal, along with two more goals and two assists earned him the Bud Light Game MVP award.
The first quarter didn't start out in the Barrage's favor. Long Island was first on the board with a quick goal, putting Philadelphia down by one only a minute into the game. However, the Barrage offense came alive and dominated the first half. Attackman Seth Goldberg got the Barrage on the board only two minutes later, followed by a Justin Smith goal to put the Barrage in the lead. Capping off a four-goal run, Bobby Horsey stripped the ball from a Long Island attacker and flipped it upfield where Ryan Boyle found Michael Springer in front of the net. By the end of the first quarter alone, Philadelphia had outshot Long Island 15 to 9. Two minutes into the second half, the Barrage's offensive control continued, as Jed Prossner, entering as a substitute from the sideline, ran through the Lizards' defense for another Philadelphia goal. Just when the Lizards brought the game within two, Goldberg scored his third goal of the game to begin another Philadelphia offensive run. Fighting for possession in front of the net, Springer grabbed a ball out of the air and put it in the goal for the next Barrage score. Right before the buzzer, Matt Striebal found Boyle, his former collegiate teammate, for a final-second goal to give Philadelphia a six-goal lead, its largest of the game. Andy Corno dominated face offs in the first half, going 12 for 16.
Keeping up the intensity in the second half usually presents the biggest obstacle for the Barrage. Last time these two teams met, Philadelphia was shut out in the third quarter as the Lizards went on a nine-goal run. Second-half struggles continued for the Barrage in this game as well. After a Colsey goal early in the third quarter, Long Island scored six straight goals (including one two-pointer) to take a one-goal lead three minutes into the fourth quarter. With 5:30 remaining in the fourth, Striebal scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 13. With 5 seconds left, Brian "Doc" Dougherty made a save in heavy traffic to preserve the tie and send the game into overtime.
Only two minutes into sudden-death overtime, a tough defensive stand and save from Dougherty gave the Barrage offense its turn. On a shot from Prossner that sailed wide on the ensuing possession, a Long Island penalty was called for an illegal body check. On the man-up opportunity that followed, Colsey scored the game-winning goal to send the Barrage to victory.
Philadelphia takes the field again at home against Western Division foes, the San Francisco Dragons on Friday, July 6. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m. at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Season tickets are still available by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610.355.8999.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 30, 2007
- Home Sweet Home For LA Riptide - Los Angeles Riptide
- Pride fall to Boston - Bucktooth scores six - New Jersey Pride
- Barrage Triumph in Overtime - Philadelphia Barrage
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