Princeton University Athletics
Princetonians Help Philadelphia Barrage Into MLL Final
August 21, 2004 | Men's Lacrosse
Aug. 21, 2004
Princeton men's lacrosse alums Ryan Boyle, Matt Striebel and B.J. Prager combined for five goals, one a two-pointer, and three assists Friday night to help the Philadelphia Barrage to an 18-17 overtime win over the Rochester Rattlers in the Major League Lacrosse semifinals at Nickerson Field at Boston University. Rutgers grad Keith Cromwell scored the game-winner of the Barrage in OT. Philadelphia, the hottest team in the league the second half of the year, will take on the host Boston Cannons for the MLL championship Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.). The game can be seen live on ESPN2. The Barrage, who formerly played in Bridgeport, began the season 1-3 before trading for Boyle, the second pick in the MLL draft. Philadelphia then went 1-2 in Boyle's first two games but have now won six straight, including an 18-17 win over the Cannons a week ago in the regular-season finale. Boyle, who finished second in the league with 28 assists in the regular season, scored the game-winner in that game with 1:42 to play. Boyle had a two-point goal and two assists in the semifinal game, which was delayed in the second half for 20 minutes due to lightning. Prager scored three goals, while Striebel had a goal and an assist. The three were all members of Princeton's 2001 NCAA championship team, which defeated Syracuse in overtime on Prager's goal off a feed from Boyle, and the 2002 NCAA runner-up team. Boyle led Princeton back to the Final Four this past spring as a senior. Rochester features Princeton alum Ryan Mollett on defense. Boston defeated Baltimore 24-16 in the other semifinal despite two goals and one assist from Princeton alum Josh Sims. Boston features Princeton's Trevor Tierney, who was traded to the Cannons from the New Jersey Pride in midseason and is now the backup goalie. Tierney did not play in the semifinals. The doubleheader at Nickerson Field drew 6,888 fans.