Ryan Boyle Leads Philadelphia Barrage to 20-12 Win Over Baltimore
August 12, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
TOWSON, Md. - Attackman Ryan Boyle scored a game-high four goals and added two assists as the Philadelphia Barrage (10-2) clinched the Eastern Conference title with their fifth straight win, a 20-12 Major League Lacrosse victory over the Baltimore Bayhawks (4-8) in the regular season finale at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday evening.
With the victory, the Barrage tie the league mark for the best winning season in a single year, a mark which had been set by Boston and Baltimore last season. Philadelphia also secures its second playoff appearance in the last three years.
The Barrage went on a quick 3-0 run in the opening five minutes of the game before the Bayhawks countered with three goals of their own to even the score at 3-3 with 5:08 remaining in the first quarter.
Led by Boyle, the Barrage went on a 5-0 run over a span of seven minutes to take an 8-3 lead they did not relinquish. Boyle scored three of the five goals during the spurt, including a pair of markers just 19 seconds apart to spark the run. After the teams traded goals several times, Baltimore tallied back-to-back goals by midfielder Jude Collins and attackman Mark Millon to cut the deficit to 13-9 with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter.
Philadelphia went on a 6-1 run, including a pair of goals from attackman Jed Prossner, to extend their advantage to 19-10 at the 5:28 mark of the fourth quarter before Baltimore scored back-to-back goals from defenseman Casey Connor and Millon. Attackman Michael Holloway scored with 1:51 left to secure the victory for the Barrage and hand Baltimore its third straight loss.
Boyle was one of two Philadelphia players to score four goals as midfielder Justin Smith added four goals with an assist. Midfielder Roy Colsey tallied three goals, including a two-pointer, to go with an assist while former Bayhawk midfielder Paul Cantabene won 17 of 32 face-offs and recorded a game-high nine ground balls.
Rookie attackman Matt Ward, who was named as the team Rookie of the Year at halftime, led the Bayhawks with three goals in the loss while midfielders Mike Mollot and Bill McGlone each added a pair of tallies. Goalkeeper Matt Russell made seven saves in 36 minutes before being relieved by fellow rookie Greg Havalchak, who also made seven saves.
Philadelphia outshot Baltimore by a 61-52 margin and held a 31-29 advantage in ground balls.
The Bayhawks end the season with a 4-8 record while Philadelphia will advance to New Balance Championship Weekend as the second seed as the Denver Outlaws clinched the top seed with a 13-9 victory over Los Angeles on Saturday. The Barrage will play Boston in the semifinals on Friday, August 25 at the Home Depot Center.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 12, 2006
- L.A. Riptide's Inaugural Season Comes To End With 13-9 Loss To Denver - Los Angeles Riptide
- Ryan Boyle Leads Philadelphia Barrage to 20-12 Win Over Baltimore - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Lizards Wrap up Season with Dramatic OT Win - New York Lizards
- Rochester Knocks Off Cannons in Season Finale - Boston Cannons
- Pride fall in Overtime- end season at 5-7 and miss playoffs - New Jersey Pride
- Barrage Top Bayhawks 20-12, Clinch Conference Title - Philadelphia Barrage
- Machine fall short in overtime thriller, 16-15 - Chicago Machine
- L.A. Riptide One Win Away From MLL Playoffs - Los Angeles Riptide
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