Philadelphia Barrage vs. Rochester Rattlers
June 25, 2004 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Season Recap: Last week the Barrage fell to the Baltimore Bayhawks in the leagues first overtime game, 19-18. Blake Miller leads the team with a total of 21 points (16g, 5a), while Liam Banks leads the team in assists with a total of 8. Goalie Greg Cattrano has been doing an outstanding job in the cage, tying the league record in saves with 31 against the loss to Baltimore. Ryan Boyle made his Barrage debut tallying 5 points for the night (3g, 2a).
Behind the Arc: As a team, the Barrage are one of the top 2-point scoring threats in Major League Lacrosse. Last season, the team led the league in 2-point goals scored with 15. The team has developed four threats from outside the 15-yard mark: Colsey (5), Shanahan (4), Cromwell (3) and Springer (3) all accounted for multiple 2-point goals in 2003. For the 2004 season, the Barrage have three 2 point goal scorers: Colsey (3), Cromwell (1), Springer (1).
Feature Match Up: This week's feature match up will be Philadelphia's Greg Cattrano against Rochester's Tillman Johnson. Johnson broke the record last week for maximum number of saves with 31 against New Jersey, helping Rochester to a 17-11 victory over the Pride. The following night, Cattrano made the same number of saves against Baltimore, but Philadelphia couldn't pull off the win and fell to the Bayhwaks, 19-18 in overtime.
Approaching Milestones: Attackman Keith Cromwell needs just one point to attain his 100th, (57g (5 2pt), 37a) a goal that should be attained by this weekend's game against Rochester. The 2001 MLL Rookie of the Year has scored 30 or more points in each of the last two seasons. Blake Miller is also racking up the points, with a total of 86 career points (66g, 20a). He is currently the Barrage's leading point scorer, with a total of 21points (16g, 5a).
The Face-off Factor: Barrage Midfielder Doug Shanahan is a do-everything type of player, and this includes the face-off duties. In his rookie season of 2003, Shanahan finished with a 52.2 face-off percentage, winning 154 of 295 face-offs. Shanahan will be going up against Rochester's Tim Booth for the draws. Booth takes most of the face offs for the Rattlers, with a 2004 winning percentage of 43 (55/128). Shanahan has a 41.7 winning percentage, winning 49/115 faceoffs he has taken this year.
Rookie Sensations: After the 2004 Collegiate Draft was over, Philadelphia had picked up goalie Tillman Johnson, while Rochester had taken home attackman Ryan Boyle. Both teams, although happy with their draft choices, realized that they were not in need of the positions acquired, so decided to make a trade. Johnson would go to Rochester in exchange for Boyle. This trade turned out to be beneficial for both teams. Both players earned "Rookie of the Week" status after playing in their debut MLL game. Johnson made 22 saves in his first MLL game, and helped break the Rattlers nine-game losing streak against Baltimore. He held the Bayhawks to just 14 points. In Boyle's first game, he racked up a total of 5 points (3g, 2a), in Philadelphia's overtime loss to Baltimore. He tied for second that night in points with Keith Cromwell (2g, 3a), falling behind Blake Miller (4g, 2a) and Roy Colsey(3g, 2 2 pt, 1a) both with 6 points.
Players of the Week: Blake Miller was this week's Offensive Player of the Week. Miller attempted to help the Barrage defeat Baltimore with 6 points (3g, 2a), in last Saturday's overtime loss 19-18. Miller currently leads the team in points with 21 (16g, 5a) The Defensive Player of the Week was Greg Cattrano. He tied the league record in saves with 31, tying with rookie goalie Tillman Johnson. In Cattrano's last three games, he has recorded 74 saves. The Barrage's Rookie of the Week was awarded to Ryan Boyle. Boyle tied for second in points during the loss to Baltimore. He notched 3 goals and 2 assists.
The Task Ahead: The Barrage is looking to gain their first win ever over the Rattlers. Currently the Barrage is 0-9 in the battle against Rochester. Rochester's roster has some of the best players in the league. Casey Powell leads the league in career points with 191. He is third on the career goal list with 104, as well as second on the assist list with 84. The Rattlers newly acquired Tillman Johnson is just another piece of the puzzle that will make the whole team stronger, and harder for the Barrage to break down.
Last Time They Met: The last time the Barrage met the Rattlers, May 29, 2004, they lost 24-17. Philadelphia was out shot 33/43, out hustled, losing groundballs (40/47) and did not win enough faceoffs (19/23). Blake Miller made a valiant attempt to boost the offense with four points (2g, 2a), but Rochester had three players with 6 points a piece (C. Powell 3g, 3a, Kevin Cassese4g, 2a, Ryan Ward 4g, 2a) Not only is Philadelphia hungry for their first win ever against Rochester, but they want their first win on their home field.
League Leaders: Currently the Barrage's Blake Miller is in fourth place for the league leader in goals with 16. Roy Colsey is tied for first place with 2-point goals. He currently has three.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 25, 2004
- Lizards vs Bayhawks Game Postponed to July 2nd - New York Lizards
- Philadelphia Barrage vs. Rochester Rattlers - Philadelphia Barrage
- Week Six in the MLL: A Rematch, a Recovery and Record-Breakers - MLL
- Rochester Rattlers at Philadelphia Barrage - Dallas Rattlers
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