Philadelphia Barrage Defeat Boston to Remain Undefeated
June 9, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Downingtown, PA - For the first time in team history, the Philadelphia Barrage defeated the Boston Cannons for the second time in a season, 16-13, in a heated contest that came down to the very final minutes. With the win in front of 2,403 fans, the Barrage is the only remaining undefeated team in the MLL. Attackman Ryan Boyle took home the Bud Light Game MVP honors for the second straight week, with six points (4G, 2A).
Philadelphia got on the board first, with a Boyle goal on the Barrage's first offensive possession two minutes into the game. Although Boston couldn't manage to take the lead, it controlled the ball on offense for most of the quarter. It was great defense by the Barrage that prevented many of Boston's shots from finding the goal frame. The hard-hitting defense of Brian Spallina, who dislodged a ball from a Boston player en route to the goal, and great saves by 2006 Warrior Goalie of the Year Brian Dougherty, who blocked a direct shot from a streaking Chazz Woodson and intercepted a John Christmas pass from behind the net, limited Boston to only one first-quarter goal and only three shots on the net. The Barrage offensive onslaught began in the second quarter, as five different Barrage players contributed goals in the first half. Attackman Matt Striebal led the half in scoring, finishing the first second quarter with a hat trick and one assist. Philadelphia entered halftime with a four-goal lead.
The Barrage's Andy Corno won the faceoff and took it the length of the field to score only eight seconds after the opening whistle of the half. From that point on, the Cannons' offense controlled the game. A behind-the-back pass from Mikey Powell found Hanley Holcomb to tie the Barrage at 11 with a minute left in the third quarter, the first time the score had been tied since early in the second. After the Cannons took their first lead, the Barrage brought both offensive and defensive pressure to turn the game back in their favor. In his first game with the Barrage, Seth Goldberg scored the go-ahead goal with seven minutes left in the game on an extra-man opportunity. The Barrage offense scored four goals in three minutes, including an unassisted, unguarded goal by Kyle Sweeney on a restart. Boston only managed one goal in the final 12 minutes of the game, and a strong defensive stand in the final seconds secured the win for Philadelphia.
Barrage points: Boyle with six (4G, 2A), Michael Springer with five (1G, 4A), Justin Smith with four (3G, 1A), Striebal with four (3G, 1A), Goldberg with two (2G), Sweeney with one (1G), Jed Prossner with one (1G), Marc Young with one (1G), Doug Knight with one (1G)
Philadelphia takes the field again for its third home game on Saturday, June 30 against the Long Island Lizards. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m. at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Season tickets are still available by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610.355.8999.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 9, 2007
- Riptide lose at Denver 18-15 - Los Angeles Riptide
- Outlaws Bounce Back, Beat Riptide 18-15 - Denver Outlaws
- Philadelphia Barrage Defeat Boston to Remain Undefeated - Philadelphia Barrage
- Lizards Fall To Washington Bayhawks, 18-14 - New York Lizards
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