Barrage v. Pride Thursday
Published on July 24, 2007 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Philadelphia, PA (July 24, 2007) - Coming off a tough loss to their western conference foes, the Denver Outlaws, the Philadelphia Barrage are looking to get back to their winning ways at "home" on Thursday against the New Jersey Pride. The game will be held at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday's match-up will also be broadcast at 9:00 p.m. Thursday evening on ESPN2.
The Barrage offense will need to step up their play if they want to penetrate the Pride's defense. Attackman Ryan Boyle will need to shine Thursday night and step into his position as lacrosse "quarterback" on the field, settling and setting up the Barrage plays. Ian Dingman, who was named the Cascade Rookie of the Game for his three-goal performance against New Jersey the first time around, will get another chance to finish what he started. Philadelphia will also be depending on offensive midfielders Roy Colsey and Matt Striebel to have big games Thursday.
Philadelphia's defense will look once again towards 2006 Goalie of the Year, Brian "Doc" Dougherty to be a stone wall in the cage when it comes to the veteran goal scorers Jesse Hubbard and Kyle Harrison of the Pride. Dougherty had the best game of the season against the Pride the first time around, shutting down the Pride's biggest scorers. He had 20 saves on 27 shots on goal en route to a Bud Light MVP, only allowing seven to get past. Dougherty's front line of Kyle Sweeney and Brett Moyer will have to stay on their toes without defenseman Brian Spallina, who will miss Thursday's game do to a family commitment. But the defense will look to veteran player Brian Kuczma to fill the void.
The first time these two teams met, the Barrage out did the pride 12-7. But with only three games left in the regular season both teams are desperately seeking a win to increase their chances of qualifying for post-season play.
Philadelphia will head out on the road for the last time in a home and home series with the Washington Bayhawks on Saturday, August 4 at 4:00 p.m. The Barrage will return home to United Sports Training Center on August 11 to face the Bayhawks in the final game of the 2007 regular season. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610.355.8999 or visiting www.philadelphiabarrage.com.
2007 Barrage Game Schedule:
May 19 at Boston Cannons W 13-9
June 2 vs. Rochester Rattlers W 21-17
June 9 vs. Boston Cannons W 16-13
June 16 at Long Island Lizards L 16-11
June 23 at Rochester Rattlers L 16-11
June 30 vs. Long Island Lizards W 14-13 OT
July 6 vs. San Francisco Dragons W 14-9
July 12 at New Jersey Pride W 12-7
July 21 at Denver Outlaws L 13-15
July 26 vs. New Jersey Pride 7:30 PM*
August 4 at Washington Bayhawks 4:00 PM
August 11 vs. Washington Bayhawks 7:30 PM
All games are Eastern Standard Time
*Game to be played at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University
About the Philadelphia Barrage
The Philadelphia Barrage is a member of Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league. The Barrage moved to Philadelphia prior to the 2004 MLL season and proceeded to win the organization's first MLL Championship at the 2004 New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship Game. In 2006, the Barrage defeated the Denver Outlaws in the MLL championship game to be crowned the Major League Lacrosse Champions for the second time in two years. The Barrage plays its home games at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Additional information on the Barrage can be found at www.philadelphiabarrage.com.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures; and Jim Davis, chairman and CEO of New Balance. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of two conferences. The Eastern Conference contains the original six teams, Boston, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Rochester and Washington. The Western Conference debuted in the 2006 season with MLL expansion franchises Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
About United Sports Training Center
United Sports Training Center is an indoor/outdoor sports facility, located in Downingtown, Pa. United Sports plays host to numerous sporting events such as tournaments, high school games and practices for both lacrosse and soccer, special events that range from high school after prom parties to political campaigns. The outdoor facility consists of 11 fields: 10 natural grass and one artificial turf, plus two lighted fields. The indoor facility includes a Mondo Surface clear span field house, two Crystaplex Boarded Sportcourt Surfaces and four 30-foot climbing surfaces. More information about United Sports can be found on their website at www.go2ustc.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 24, 2007
- Barrage v. Pride Thursday - Philadelphia Barrage
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