One Away From Number One
August 9, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Philadelphia, PA (August 9, 2007) - The Philadelphia Barrage, the defending Major League Lacrosse Champions, will conclude its regular season at the friendly confines of United Sports Training Center this Saturday at 7 p.m. looking for one final victory. However, it will be no small victory. A win will give the Barrage first place overall in the MLL, earning the first seed in the playoffs and an Eastern Conference championship for the second year in the row. The Barrage will have to defeat the Washington Bayhawks for the second time in as many weeks to earn the first place spot. The game will wrap up Philadelphia's regular season and home season at USTC.
With the victory over the Bayhawks last Saturday, the Barrage secured a place in the postseason, becoming the first defending MLL champion in four years to make the playoffs the following season. Along with the Barrage, the Denver Outlaws, the Los Angeles Riptide, and the Rochester Rattlers have also secured playoff berths.
The Barrage showed that they are capable of earning the first place spot with a dominating 21-11 victory over Washington last weekend. Several offensive players contributed to the scoring onslaught as Jed Prossner, Justin Smith, and Roy Colsey all registered three goals apiece. Matt Striebel, who added four goals and an assist of his own, was named the MLL's Offensive Player of the Week for his Bug Light Game MVP performance.
However, it was not just the offense that had an impressive showing. Philadelphia's last outing set season highs in several categories. The 21 goals scored tied the Barrage season high for goals in a game, as the Barrage also racked up season highs in ground balls (47), shots (38), and points (30) in the Bayhawks' defeat.
The defense led by 2007 All-Star Kyle Sweeney and veteran Brian Spallina will look to keep a stronghold on the Bayhawks' offense. Last Saturday, no Washington player scored more than two goals in the game. Eliminated from the playoffs, Washington has nothing to lose and would like nothing more than spoiling the Barrage's first place aspirations.
The Philadelphia Barrage will look to capture first place in the MLL with a win against the Washington Bayhwaks at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa., this Saturday. The final game of the regular season will face off at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.philadelphiabarrage.com or by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610-355-8999.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 9, 2007
- Riptide Announce Event Schedule for Final Home Game - Los Angeles Riptide
- Outlaws Will Determine Playoff Seed this Weekend - Denver Outlaws
- One Away From Number One - Philadelphia Barrage
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