Barrage fall in OT, no championship in 2008

By Tom Hoffman

For the third time in four semi-final games the Barrage found themselves in overtime. And for the first time in their playoff history, they find themselves not playing for the Major League Lacrosse title. Casey Powell's goal :45 into the extra session lifted the Rochester Rattlers to their first ever postseason victory, 16-15 over the defending champions at Boston's Harvard Stadium.

The Barrage forced overtime by outscoring the Rattlers 3-0 in the fourth quarter, tying the game on Roy Colsey's third goal of the game with 2:59 left in regulation. Colsey also had three assists for six points to lead the Barrage. Joe Walters scored four goals and three assists to lead Rochester. The Rattlers will face the Denver Outlaws, who defeated the Los Angeles Riptide 13-12, in Sunday's Championship tilt. The winner of this year's championship will be the first team other than the Barrage (3), Lizards (2) and Bayhawks (2) to raise the Steinfeld Cup.

And so for 2008, the Barrage's traveling road show has played its final date.

MLL Semi-Final - Barrage vs Rattlers - 8/23/08

By Tom Hoffman

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.