newjerseypride.com

BOSTON – Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, has announced those players who have been selected to play in the seventh annual Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. 

The All-Stars were selected by the League's head coaches, general managers and players.  This is the second season that MLL players have had a chance to be involved in the voting process.This year’s game will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM MT at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High.  For the second consecutive year, the game will match-up players from the Eastern Conference against their Western Conference counterparts.

“I’m really looking forward to traveling to Denver for this event,” said Commissioner Gross.  “In addition to our perennial All-Stars, there are a number of players who will be making their first appearance at an MLL All-Star Game and I hope that they enjoy this unique experience.  It’s the one game during the season where the pressure is off and the guys can really just go out there and have some fun.”  

The Long Island Lizards lead the way for the Eastern Conference with five players.  Long Island attackman Spencer Ford, midfielders Chris Fiore, Stephen Berger, Peter Vlahakis, and defenseman Nicky Polanco will take the field for the Lizards. Vlahakis earned his first All-Star nod last season, but was unable to play due to injury. This season, Vlahakis has been dominating the face-off X, winning 144 of 237 face-offs attempted. He has also collected a League leading 51 groundballs.

The Rochester Rattlers add three players to the Eastern Conference roster with attackman John Grant Jr., midfielder Joe Walters, and defenseman Brodie Merrill.  John Grant Jr., the League’s 2007 Bud Light League MVP, currently leads all players in scoring with 35 points (25 goals, 2 two-point goals, 7 assists) through seven weeks.  

The Washington Bayhawks are represented by midfielder Kyle Dixon, defensive midfielder Shawn Nadelen, and goaltender Chris Garrity.  Garrity is currently 3-4 this season, with a 14.76 Goals Against Average and a .564 save percentage. Garrity leads all MLL goalies with 128 saves this season.  

Attackmen Mikey Powell, midfielders Matt Poskay, Paul Rabil, and defenseman Chris Passavia will be making the trip out west for the Boston Cannons.  Rabil is one of two rookies named to this year’s All-Star roster.  For Poskay, this is his second straight All-Star appearance.  Last season, Poskay took home Bud Light MVP honors for his four goal performance in the 2007 All-Star Game in front of his home town fans in Boston.

The defending champion Philadelphia Barrage will be sending midfielder Matt Striebel, and defenseman Kyle Sweeney.  

Rounding out the roster for the East, the New Jersey Pride will be sending attackman Merrick Thomson and goaltender Rob Scherr.  Scherr has twice been named MLL Goalkeeper of the Week this season, and leads the League with his .610 save percentage.

The Eastern Conference All-Stars will be coached by Philadelphia’s Tony Resch and Boston’s Bill Daye.

On the other side of the ball, the Denver Outlaws once again lead the way with eight players named to the 2008 All-Star roster.  Denver attackmen Ryan Powell, Brendan Mundorf , and Matt Hanna will be joined by midfielders Jeff Sonke, Brian Langtry, Benson Erwin, defenseman Lee Zink, and goaltender Jesse Schwartzman.  For both Powell and Sonke, this represents the fifth time that they have been named to an MLL All-Star roster, although Powell did not participate in the 2007 game.

Following the Outlaws, the Los Angeles Riptide contributes six members to the Western Conference roster.  Riptide midfielders Chazz Woodson, Greg Downing, and Kyle Harrison will appear along with midfielder and face-off specialist Anthony Kelly, and defensemen Brett Hughes and D.J. Driscoll.  For Woodson, Downing, Kelly, and Hughes, 2008 marks their MLL All-Star debut.

Chicago attackman Kevin Leveille and midfielder Steven Brooks, along with goaltender Mike Gabel will represent the Machine.  Brooks joins Boston’s Paul Rabil as the only other rookie to be named to the roster.  This is the first All-Star nod for Gabel who, despite his team’s record, has an impressive 12.35 Goals Against Average and a .593 save percentage.  He was named MLL Goalkeeper of the Week following Opening Weekend.

The San Francisco Dragons round out the Western Conference roster with Jake Byrne at attack and Erin Martin on defense.   

The Western Conference will be coached by Denver’s Brian Reese and the Outlaws’ Assistant Coaches.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 with Joe Beninati and Quint Kessenich calling the action and will once again feature the popular Bud Light Skills Competition during halftime.  Participants for the Skills Competition events will be announced at a later date.

Tickets to the event are on sale now and begin at just $10 for general admission. Individual tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 303-830-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Group tickets are available by phone by calling 303-Outlaws.
 
Eastern Conference All-Stars
Attack
Spencer Ford (Long Island Lizards)
John Grant Jr. (Rochester Rattlers)
Mikey Powell (Boston Cannons)
Merrick Thomson (New Jersey Pride)

Midfield
Stephen Berger (Long Island Lizards)
Kyle Dixon (Washington Bayhawks)
Chris Fiore (Long Island Lizards)
Shawn Nadelen (Washington Bayhawks)
Matt Poskay (Boston Cannons)
Paul Rabil (Boston Cannons)
Matt Striebel (Philadelphia Barrage)
Joe Walters (Rochester Rattlers)


Face-Off
Peter Vlahakis (Long Island Lizards)

Defense
Brodie Merrill (Rochester Rattlers)
Chris Passavia (Boston Cannons)
Nick Polanco (Long Island Lizards)
Kyle Sweeney (Philadelphia Barrage)

Goalkeeper
Chris Garrity (Washington Bayhawks)
Rob Scherr (New Jersey Pride)

Coaches
Bill Daye (Boston Cannons)
Tony Resch (Philadelphia Barrage)

Western Conference All-Stars
Attack
Jake Byrne (San Francisco Dragons)
Kevin Leveille (Chicago Machine)
Brendan Mundorf (Denver Outlaws)
Ryan Powell (Denver Outlaws)

Midfield
Steven Brooks (Chicago Machine)
Greg Downing (Los Angeles Riptide)
Benson Erwin (Denver Outlaws)
Matt Hanna (Denver Outlaws)
Kyle Harrison (Los Angeles Riptide)
Brian Langtry (Denver Outlaws)
Jeff Sonke (Denver Outlaws)
Chazz Woodson (Los Angeles Riptide)

Face-Off
Anthony Kelly (Los Angeles Riptide)

Defense
D.J. Driscoll (Los Angeles Riptide)
Brett Hughes (Los Angeles Riptide)
Eric Martin (San Francisco Dragons)
Lee Zink (Denver Outlaws)

Goalkeeper
Mike Gabel (Chicago Machine)
Jesse Schwartzman (Denver Outlaws)

Coaches
Brian Reese (Denver Outlaws)
Denver Outlaws Assistant Coaching Staff