Uncharted Waters: Dragons vs. Barrage
July 3, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Philadelphia, PA (July 3, 2007) - As the Philadelphia Barrage look to extend their perfect home record with another win this Friday, they will have to face an unfamiliar foe on the other sideline. The San Francisco Dragons will come to United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa., on Friday at 7:30 p.m. to meet the Barrage for the first time in either team's history.
Now at the midpoint of the 2007 season, each team enters the game from two different perspectives. The Dragons, currently in third place in the Western Division, are looking to snap a two-game losing streak and to turn their 2-4 record around. However, the Barrage, with an overtime win against Long Island last Saturday, are in a three-way tie for first in the Eastern Division with Long Island and Rochester. They would like nothing more than to protect a 3-0 home record, while making a strong push for a postseason bid in the second half of the year.
Although neither team has faced each other head-to-head, each squad knows the other has loads of talent. The Barrage defense led by 2007 All-Star Kyle Sweeney and hard-hitting Brian Spallina will have to corral 2006 Warrior Offensive Player of the Year and 2006 Bud Light MVP Ryan Powell, who already has 10 goals and 11 assists this season for the Dragons.
The match-up will also feature a pair of talented goalies. Warrior Goalie of the Year for 2006, Brian "Doc" Dougherty, was also named a 2007 All-Star, holding a 57 save percentage. In the net for the Dragons will be Matt Vallone, who was named MLL Goalie of the Week for his 17 saves in the Dragons' 20-14 victory over the Outlaws on June 23.
Trying to get past Vallone will be a Barrage offense led by 2007 All-Stars Ryan Boyle, Matt Striebel, and Roy Colsey. Boyle ranks third in the MLL in points, with 33, and Striebel has posted 14 goals and seven assists of his own. Colsey, the hero of the overtime win against Long Island last weekend, will also be a force on offense.
The Philadelphia Barrage will face the San Francisco Dragons at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa, closing out a two-game home stand. Tickets are available online at www.philadelphiabarrage.com or by calling the Barrage ticket office at 610-355-8999.
2007 Barrage Game Schedule:
May 19 at Boston Cannons W 13-9
June 2 vs. Rochester Rattlers W 21-17
June 9 vs. Boston Cannons W 16-13
June 16 at Long Island Lizards L 16-11
June 23 at Rochester Rattlers L 16-11
June 30 vs. Long Island Lizards W 14-13
July 6 vs. San Francisco Dragons 7:30 PM
July 12 at New Jersey Pride 7:30 PM
July 21 at Denver Outlaws 7:30 PM
July 26 vs. New Jersey Pride 7:30 PM
August 4 at Washington Bayhawks 4:00 PM
August 11 vs. Washington Bayhawks 7:30 PM
Bolded games = Home Games All games are Eastern Standard Time
About the Philadelphia Barrage
The Philadelphia Barrage is a member of Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league. The Barrage moved to Philadelphia prior to the 2004 MLL season and proceeded to win the organization's first MLL Championship at the 2004 New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship Game. In 2006, the Barrage defeated the Denver Outlaws in the MLL championship game to be crowned the Major League Lacrosse Champions for the second time in two years. The Barrage plays its home games at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Additional information on the Barrage can be found at www.philadelphiabarrage.com.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures; and Jim Davis, chairman and CEO of New Balance. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of two conferences. The Eastern Conference contains the original six teams, Boston, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Rochester and Washington. The Western Conference debuted in the 2006 season with MLL expansion franchises Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
About United Sports Training Center
United Sports Training Center is an indoor/outdoor sports facility, located in Downingtown, Pa. United Sports plays host to numerous sporting events such as tournaments, high school games and practices for both lacrosse and soccer, special events that range from high school after prom parties to political campaigns. The outdoor facility consists of 11 fields: 10 natural grass and one artificial turf, plus two lighted fields. The indoor facility includes a Mondo Surface clear span field house, two Crystaplex Boarded Sportcourt Surfaces and four 30-foot climbing surfaces. More information about United Sports can be found on their website at www.go2ustc.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 3, 2007
- Denver Outlaws Host Chicago Tomorrow Under Fireworks - Denver Outlaws
- Uncharted Waters: Dragons vs. Barrage - Philadelphia Barrage
- MLL Insider - MLL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
