Ending on a High Note: 2007 Eastern Conference Champs
August 11, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Downingtown, PA (August 11, 2007) - With a dominating performance on all sides of the ball, the Philadelphia Barrage finished the regular season with a 22-7 win over the Washington Bayhawks at United Sports Training Center to be the Eastern Conference Champions for the second year in a row and earn first place in the MLL. Finishing with their best performance of the season, the Barrage racked up their highest single-game goal total of the season with 22. The Barrage have also earned a first-place seed in the 2007 playoffs, becoming the first defending champions since 2002 to make it back to the playoffs the following year. In front of 2,648 fans in Downingtown, Pa., Roy Colsey's five goals and one assist led the offensive barrage that ensured the Barrage's first-place standing as he earned the Bud Light game MVP award.
The Barrage wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. Jed Prossner started off the scoring for Philadelphia when Michael Springer found him cutting to the net less than three minutes into the game. Both Springer and Colsey scored less than one minute after Prossner's opening goal to take a quick three-point lead. Crucial face off wins by Andy Corno gave the Barrage ample offensive opportunities, which resulted in the early scoring onslaught. Justin Smith, shooting as he spun around a defender, found the back of the net for five-goal Barrage lead before the Bayhawks could net a point of their own. After Washington answered with two points, Matt Zash grabbed a ground ball and dashed up the field where he found Ryan Boyle for another Barrage goal. By the end of the first quarter, Colsey had a hat trick, scoring three of the Barrage's nine first-quarter goals. Corno finished the half with 11 of 16 face off wins.
At the start of the second quarter, goalie Kevin Keenan entered the game for starter Brian "Doc" Dougherty. After surrendering a Bayhawks goal less than two minutes later, Keenan continued what Dougherty started, holding Washington scoreless until midway through the third period. Colsey added his fourth goal of the night, Prossner scored on an open net, and Matt Striebel scored before half to give Philadelphia a nine-point lead.
The third quarter featured more of the same Barrage highlights. Both Boyle and Prossner notched their third goals of the game, while the defense kept Washington at bay. Keenan and the back three consisting of Kyle Sweeney, Armando Polanco (who entered in the second quarter), and Brian Spallina only allowed two more goals in the quarter as the Barrage racked up a 12-point lead. In the final period, Striebel added his fourth goal of the game with an assist from Boyle, and Goldberg got his name in the scorebook, netting a goal as he lost his balance in front of the net. Corno's goal after winning a face off gave the Barrage their final goal of the game, en route to the playoffs as the top overall seed.
Philadelphia finished off the regular season tonight with the victory over the Bayhawks, but the season is far from over. The Barrage will advance to the 2007 NB Zip Championship weekend for a first round match up against the Denver Outlaws on August 25 at 2 p.m in Rochester, N.Y. To order tickets please call Mike Spellman at the Rochester Rattlers office at (585) 454-5425 ext 115 or send him an e-mail at mspellman@rhinossoccer.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 11, 2007
- LA Riptide Motors Past The Machine - Los Angeles Riptide
- Rattlers Roll Cannons 20-10 - Boston Cannons
- Lizards Best Pride, 15-14. - New Jersey Pride
- Ending on a High Note: 2007 Eastern Conference Champs - Philadelphia Barrage
- Ending on a High Note: 2007 Eastern Conference Champs - Philadelphia Barrage
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