The Barrage (7-5) are seeking their third consecutive Major League Lacrosse title in 2008. Their first step towards that feat will begin Saturday when they face the top seeded Rochester Rattlers (9-3) at Harvard Stadium. Faceoff is at Noon and the game will be shown live on ESPN2.
Playoff History
The Barrage are in the postseason for the fourth time, having won the MLL Championship all three previous times (2004, 2006, 2007). Their all time playoff record is 6-0. Rochester is 0-4 all time in the postseason. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, the Barrage needing overtime to defeat the Rattlers 18-17 in the 2004 semi-finals at Boston's Nickerson Field. Seven members of the Barrage (Roy Colsey, Matt Striebel, Kyle Sweeney, Mike Springer, Brian Spallina, Brian Kuczma, Ryan Boyle) have played in all six Barrage playoff games while Kevin Cassese was a member of the Rattlers in the 2004 meeting.
Regular Season
Rochester won both regular season meetings in 2008, winning 22-9 on May 31st at PAETEC Park and then taking a 20-17 victory on June 21st in Cary, NC. Joe Walters, John Grant Jr. and Casey Powell each had 13 points for the Rattlers in the two games, Walters leading the way with 11 goals while Matt Striebel had seven points (6G, 1A) for the Barrage with Seth Goldberg, Ryan Boyle and Justin Smith each adding six points. Rochester's Alex Smith outdueled Andy Corno at the faceoff "X" winning 45 of 67 draws. Mike Levin won both starts for the Rattlers while Brian Dougherty took the losses for the Barrage.
Barrage Playoff Leaders
Goals: Roy Colsey (22), Matt Striebel (16)
Assists: Ryan Boyle (12), Striebel (10)
Points: Colsey (30), Striebel (27)
Wins: Brian Dougherty (4), Greg Cattrano (2)
Faceoff Wins: Paul Cantabene (42), Andy Corno (34)
Notes
The Barrage won their first MLL title in Boston in 2004. That season the championship weekend was at Nickerson Field. At this year's venue, Harvard Stadium, the Barrage are 3-0 including a pair of wins in 2008.
Kyle Sweeney and Matt Striebel were named to the 2008 All-MLL team while Tony Resch was named MLL Coach of the Year.
Next Game
A win and the Barrage face the winner of the Denver-Los Angeles game on Sunday afternoon. A loss and we'll see you in 2009.
