Bridgeport Barrage Game Day Preview
Published on July 5, 2002 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Barrage at a Glance: The Bridgeport Barrage enter Saturday's MLL showdown with the New Jersey Pride having dropped a heart-breaking game in overtime to the Long Island Lizards 21-20 in overtime. The Barrage scored the first eight goals of the game and led by as many as four goals in the fourth quarter. They did not trail until the final two minutes of the game and needed B.J. Prager's third goal of the game wih 22 seconds left in regulation to send it into overtime. Long Island's Casey Powell put the game away in overtime with his fourth goal of the gme. In goal, Mark Spruyt made his second straigh start for the Barrage, but was relieved by Jim Mule in the third quarter. In the first five games of the season, Roy Colsey (13g, 1a), Matt Panetta (13g, 3a), Dan Denihan (10g, 10a) and Keith Cromwell (6g, 10a) have paced the offense. The Barrage used a balanced scoring attack where eight players contributed goals, including newly acquired attackman B.J. Prager (3g) in his Bridgeport debut in the loss vs. Long Island.
Last Time They Met: The Bridgeport Barrage fell to the New Jersey Pride 12-7 on 6/7/02 in a game where they dropped to 0-2 on the season. In that MLL contest, the Barrage set a new record-low by scoring only seven goals in the game. Bridgeport fell behind quickly in the game before running off four straight goals in the second quarter to tie the game 5-5 at the half. However, the Pride scored four unanswered goals of their own in the second half to secure the victory. Both goalies, Steve Koudelka (NJ) and Jim Mule (BPT) shined in the net. Koudelka earned Bud Light MVP honors after making 24 saves while Mule set a personal high with 22 saves.
MLL Teams In One-Goal Games
1. Baltimore 6-0
2. Long Island 6-3
3. New Jersey 4-2
T4. Rochester 2-5
T4. Boston 2-5
6. Bridgeport 1-7 One-Goal Heart Break: After falling to Long Island 21-20 in overtime on 6/28/02, the Barrage are now 1-7 all-time in games decided by a goal. In contrast, the New Jersey is 4-2 all-time in one-goal games. Bridgeport has dropped two games in overtime this season, having lead 18-14 in the 4th quarter in each contest. The Barrage also 0-4 all-time in overtime games.
Roster Moves: This week, the Bridgeport Barrage have activated attackman Marc Morley (UMass, 2002) and midfielder Nick Russo (Virginia, 2002) off the reserve squad. Midfielder and face-off specialist Andy Towers (Brown, 1993) remains on the injured reserve for the fourth straight game. Midfielders Tom Naglieri (Adelphi, 1993), Blake Miller (Hofstra, 1996) and Matt Striebel (Princeton, 2001), defenseman Nick Polanco (Hofstra, 2002) and have all been placed on the reserve squad. Striebel and Polanco will be out of action until the conclusion of the Lacrosse World Championships that are being held in Perth, Austrailia from July 5-14. Striebel is on the active roster for the U.S. National team while Polanco is an alternate. Billy St. George (Syracuse, 2002) and Justin Cynar (Cornell, 2002), who were both acquired last week via a trade with Baltimore, have been placed on the reserve squad.
League Leaders: Roy Colsey is currently tied for fifth in the MLL in goals (13), sixth in points (17), second in two-point shots (3) and tied for sixth in hat tricks (2). Matt Panetta is tied for seventh in the MLL in points (16), tied for fifth in goals (13) and tied for fourth in the league with three hat tricks. Dan Denihan is fifth in the MLL in points (20), tied for sixth in hat tricks (2) and is tied for the league-lead in assists (10). Keith Cromwell is tied for the MLL league-lead in assists (10).
Beyond the Arc: The Bridgeport Barrage are second in the MLL in two point shots on a trio of goals scored by Roy Colsey. The Barrage trail only Boston who lead the league with eight, two-point goals. Boston's Mike Regan leads the league with four goals beyond the arc.
Series Summary: The Pride hold an All-Time 3-0 series advantage after their 12-7 win over the Barrage on 6/7. In the three games between the teams, New Jersey has outscored Bridgeport, 16-6, in the fourth quarter and 24-13 in the second half. Jesse Hubbard has led New Jersey with 10g in the series, including a hat trick in their first meeting this season. For the Barrage, Matt Panetta leads the team in scoring with 9g, 1a, including a hat trick of his own in the Bridgeport-New Jersey showdown on 6/7. Jim Mule has been stellar in goal vs. New Jersey, making 54 saves, including a career-high 22 in their only meeting this season.
In the Crease: Jim Mule has made 80 saves this season while surrendering 72 goals (53% save percentage). Mark Spruyt has made 28 saves while surrendering 23 goals (55% save percentage). Thus far, the opposition has a 61% save percentage against the Barrage (113 saves, 73 goals).
Face-offs: The Bridgeport Barrage have won 53% of their face-offs this season (98-for-186). Midfielder Andy Towers has won 33-of-56 face-offs. Defenseman Jamie Hanford has won 64-of-129 face-offs this season, including a season-high 24 in the Bridgeport overtime loss vs. Long Island on 6/28/02. Matt Alexander (1-for-1) took one face-off in the win at Baltimore on 6/22.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 5, 2002
- Bridgeport Barrage Game Day Preview - 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.
