Bridgeport Barrage Game Notes
Published on May 30, 2003 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Barrage at a Glance: The Bridgeport Barrage are set to open the 2003 season on road against the Rochester Rattlers. In Rochester, the Barrage face one of two MLL teams that they have never beaten (also New Jersey). Both Bridgeport and Rochester both failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2002. With a new balanced and shortened MLL schedule these two teams will square off four times this season. During the offseason, Rochester improved their offense by acquiring Casey Powell who joins brother Ryan Powell on the Rattlers.
The X-Factor: This season the Bridgeport Barrage are hoping for an offensive spark from midfielder Doug Shanahan. He was originally drafted by Bridgeport in the 2002 MLL Supplemental Draft with the first overall selection, but did not ply for the Barrage because he spent the summer in training camp with the New York Jets and playing for Team USA in the World Lacrosse Championships in Australia. Shanahan was named MVP of the World Championships after scoring four goals in the Championship while pacing Team USA with a total of 16 goals. The three-time First-Team All-American at Hofstra was named the nation's top collegiate lacrosse player in 2001. Shanahan was also a two-time Division 1-AA All-American strong safety at Hofstra.
Two-Point Threat: Bridgeport's Roy Colsey leads the MLL with 12 all-time two-point goals. He netted seven two-point shots for the Barrage in 2002. He is the only player in Barrage history with more than one two-point goal.
In the Crease: Mark Spruyt emerged as the most successful goalie for the Barrage during the 2002 season. While he was in the crease, the Barrage posted a 3-2 record while recording back-to-back wins for the first time in franchise history. Spruyt boasted a .590 save percentage (13.3 goals against) and coincidentially was named the Bud Light MVP in each of the three Barrage wins in 2002.
Doerr or Die: The Barrage defense will be fortunate to add the 2001 MLL Defensive Player of the Year in Rob Doerr. He was acquired by the Barrage from the Baltimore Bayhawks on July 6, 2002 along with attackman Tom Kessler in exchange for defenseman Jamie Hanford. While Doerr did not appear in a game for the Barrage after leaving for the New York State police academy, Kessler made an immediate impact for the Barrage after scoring nine goals and contributing two assists in four games with Bridgeport. Kessler earned SOBE Iron Lizrad Award Winner honors in two of those game by leading the team with four goals.
Connecticut Connections: Marko Lujic, a native of Hamden, Conn. and a Yale graduate, was acquired by the Barrage from the MLL player pool during the 2003 offseason. He was an honorable mention All-American with Yale during his 2002 senior campaign. Lugic also played high school lacrosse at Hamden Hall where he captained both the lacrosse and soccer teams. Mike Adamns (Wilton, Conn.) returns to the Barrage for he 2003 season. Adams played high school lacrosse at Wilton High School (class of '97). Tim Knowles, another Wilton, Conn native, also played as a defenseman at Wilton High School (class of '95). Barrage midfielder Roy Colsey currently works as a Physical Education teacher at Bedford Middle School in Westport, Conn.
Roster Moves: This week, the Bridgeport Barrage have placed midfielder Jim Gonnella, attackman Todd Eichelberger and defenseman Billy St. George and Harold Drumm on the injured reserve.
And Then There Were Three: Only three players open the 2003 season on the active roster who have been with the team since the onset of Major League Lacrosse in 2001. They include midfielders Roy Colsey and Blake Miller as well as attackman Scott Hochstadt. Defenseman Harold Drumm and midfielder Jim Gonnella are also original members of the Barrage, but open the season on the injured reserve.
Record-Low: Last season the Rochester Rattlers held the Bridgeport Barrage to an MLL-record low five goals in a 15-5 loss at Rochester on July 12, 2002.
Powell Factor: The Bridgeport Barrage are a combined 2-10 in games versus Casey and Ryan Powell during the last two seasons. In those twelve games (eight versus Long Island and four versus Rochester) the Powell brothers contributed a total of 64 points (33 goals/31 assists). Each brother has averaged over five points per game against the Barrage. Ryan Powell, the fourth leading scorer in MLL history (108 points), earned MLL MVP honors during the inaugural 2001 season when he led the league in scoring with 63 points. His big brother Casey on the other hand is the current all-time MLL leading scorer (121 points) after leading the MLL in scoring in 2002 with a record 68 points in a single season. Rochester acquired Casey Powell in a five-player trade on January 15, 2003 that sent midfielders Conor Denihan and Chris Cercy and goalie Brian Dougherty to Long Island in exchange for Powell and goalie Brian Carcaterra.
Last Time They Met: The Barrage fell to the Rochester Rattlers 16-12 at Harbor Yard on July 25, 2002. Bridgeport trailed after each quarter and was only able to pull within the final four-goal deficit after outscoring the Rattlers 6-2 in the second half. The Rattlers remain one of two teams (also New Jersey) that the Barrage have never defeated. In their four games against Bridgeport, the Rattlers have averaged 16 goals per game. However, in their two year history Rochester has averaged 13 goals a game in their 29 games.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 30, 2003
- Lizards add Brennan and Kostolowski at MLL Collegiate Draft - New York Lizards
- Barrage Add Five Players in 2003 MLL Collegiate Draft - Philadelphia Barrage
- Bridgeport Barrage Game Notes - Philadelphia Barrage
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