Battleground: Sweeney vs. Christmas At United Sports Training Center
June 7, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Philadelphia, PA (June 7, 2007) - Saying that the Boston Cannons (2-2) and the undefeated Philadelphia Barrage (2-0) are rivals is a bit of an understatement. As the Cannons arrive at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. this Saturday for their 7 p.m. match-up against the Barrage (2-0), two battles of different sorts, although no less intense, will be brewing.
In the opening game of 2007, the Barrage defeated the Cannons 13-9, in a rematch of the 2006 Major League Lacrosse semi-final game, which the Barrage also won. The win to open 2007 was the first time the Barrage defeated the Cannons in their first meeting of the season.
However, there is another skirmish occurring on the turf. Barrage defender Kyle Sweeney and Cannons attackman John Christmas, both Philadelphia natives, are longtime friends and MLL rivals. The two will go head-to-head in the game on Saturday, as Sweeney will guard Christmas throughout the game.
Both boast impressive stats early in the season. Christmas is second in the MLL with 15 points, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists. Sweeney has two goals and one assist, as well as seven ground balls. In their first match-up on May 19, Sweeney held Christmas to only one goal, coming in the third quarter.
This past winter, Sweeney and Christmas were teammates on the Philadelphia Wings, and are now co-workers off the lacrosse field. Sweeney is the Director of Operations for Maverick Lacrosse, and Christmas has just recently signed as a Maverick representative.
The game will also feature another fierce match-up between Boston attackman Mike Powell and Philadelphia 2006 All-Star defender Brian Spallina. Powell is tied with Christmas with 15 points this season, off six goals and nine assists. Spallina has two ground balls on the year and limited Powell to only two goals in the game on May 19.
The first 250 fans to the game on Saturday will each receive a free Kyle Sweeney and John Christmas poster, highlighting the match-up.
The Barrage take the field again against the Boston Cannons Saturday, June 9, at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m. Individual tickets are available by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610-355-8999.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 7, 2007
- Riptide Gain Two Picks In Next Year's Collegiate Draft - Los Angeles Riptide
- Battleground: Sweeney vs. Christmas At United Sports Training Center - Philadelphia Barrage
- Dragons Face Revitalized Chicago Squad - San Francisco Dragons
- Cannons Announce Local TV Schedule - Boston Cannons
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.
