Barrage remain unbeaten after win in Texas

IRVING, Texas - When learning that their barnstorming tour included a stop in Dallas, members of the Barrage discussed ways to show their disdain of Texas Stadium's primary tenant.

The photo op on the midfield star fell through when practically everyone left their Eagles jerseys at home. Instead, Philadelphia settled for avoiding an upset loss to a New York team in Irving last night with an 18-12 Major League Lacrosse victory over the Long Island Lizards.

Matt Striebel, Michael Springer and Seth Goldberg each scored four goals as the two-time champion Barrage remained undefeated (2-0) in the early stage of their stint as a traveling team.

Playing at the Cowboys' stadium was a perk for the Barrage. The football rivalry carried over.

"You should have seen us before the game," Striebel said. Goalie "Brian Dougherty couldn't have found Terrell Owens' locker fast enough to leave behind a few choice words on his photograph.

"You couldn't ask for a better group of guys to spend the summer traveling with and for an opportunity like this . . . Are you kidding me? One hundred and 10 degrees on the turf before the game, but what a great atmosphere."

Long Island jumped out to a 4-1 advantage midway through the first quarter, but Philadelphia scored the next seven goals and never trailed again.

The Lizards scored twice in the final 22 seconds to cut it to 8-6 at halftime, but Philadelphia went on a 5-1 run - with five players scoring - to regain control.

"This game is like the NBA – a game of runs," Striebel said. "You weather that first run and then you know you'll have yours."

Jed Prossner added two goals and four assists, and Justin Smith also scored twice for the Barrage, whose next game is Saturday in Rochester, N.Y.

This was the first professional lacrosse game in Texas, but Texas Stadium hosted a college tournament in March and there was a statewide recreation tournament last week. The famed stars along the sideline were removed simply because a lacrosse ball flung at 90 m.p.h. would shatter the $1,500 plastic ornaments.

Attendance was not announced, but it was sparse.