Barrage's title defense has familiar look

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Two old foes will face off tomorrow in the first round of the Major League Lacrosse playoffs.

The defending champion and top-seeded Barrage (9-3) will meet the Denver Outlaws (7-5) in a rematch of last season's championship game.

That one went to the Barrage, but the Outlaws gained a small measure of revenge with a regular-season win this year.

The game will begin at 2 p.m. The second semifinal, matching the second-seeded Los Angeles Riptide (9-3) and the third-seeded Rochester Rattlers (9-3), will follow at 5 p.m.

The final is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday and will be telecast live on ESPN2.

The Barrage could become the first MLL team to win back-to-back championships. They will be led by Brian "Doc" Dougherty, the two-time MLL goalkeeper of the year, who made a career high of 21 saves against the Outlaws on July 21.

Dougherty, a former University of Maryland star, was named goalie of the year for the second straight time and third overall. He also won the honor in 2003 with the Long Island Lizards.

Dougherty ranked second in the league in goals-against average, allowing 11.79 goals per game. His .580 save percentage also ranked second in the league.

The Barrage's offense had two of its biggest games in the final two regular-season contests.

Roy Colsey and Matt Striebel scored 15 goals in the final two games. They were co-MVPs in the 2006 postseason, combining for 13 points against Outlaws goalie Trevor Tierney.

Ryan Boyle led the Barrage and finished third in the league with 58 points.