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(Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Barrage) caption: SUDDEN IMPACT: Former Princeton University attacker Ryan Boyle looks for an opening in a recent game for the Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Boyle, who led Princeton to the NCAA Final Four this spring, is second in the MLL in assists with 26 and has been named the MLL Rookie of the Week on four occasions. end of caption

Tiger Lax Great Boyle Making Sudden Impact In Triggering Barrage's Surge in His MLL Debut

By Bill Alden

Although Ryan Boyle graduated from Princeton University this June, the former Tiger men's lacrosse great is not fully immersed in the real world.

The gifted playmaking attacker, who ended his Princeton career second all-time in career assists with 162, is currently playing for the Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse (MLL).

Coming off a college campaign which saw him lead the Tigers to the NCAA Final Four and earn first-team All-American honors, Boyle hasn't missed a beat at the pro level since joining Philadelphia in mid-June.

Making a sudden impact for the Barrage, Boyle is second in the league in assists with 26 and has been named the MLL Rookie of the Week on four occasions.

In recently reflecting on the extension of his lacrosse career, Boyle acknowledged that he is in no rush to head to the office or grad school.

"It's one more season to be a kid," said Boyle, a Baltimore area native who noted that he is doing lacrosse camps and house-sitting between games. "It's been great. It's a lot of fun."

The 5'11, 180-pound Boyle has fit right into the high octane world of the MLL, which has a 45-second shot clock to promote high scoring contests.

"It's fast-paced, there is never a chance to relax," said Boyle, who has scored nine goals with two hat tricks. "The games are relentless, there is no let up."

In Boyle's view, going straight from the college season into the MLL has been a plus. "It helped me to have been in shape from college," said Boyle, who was named the men's lacrosse Ivy League Player of the Year this spring, earning that honor for the second time. "My stickwork is down. I'm amazed at how well the other guys do with just one practice a week."

Another factor that has eased Boyle's transition is the fact that two former Princeton teammates, B.J. Prager and Matt Striebel, play for the Barrage.

"I already knew their playing styles," said Boyle, who was taken second in the MLL draft by Rochester and was then traded immediately to Philadelphia. "We have a good rapport."

While a playmaker like Boyle usually needs some time to pick up the tendencies of his shooters, that hasn't been an issue. "We have such great shooters, it's easy to set them up," said Boyle.

The Princeton trio has brought a Tiger flavor to the Barrage's offensive approach. "I think we've helped get the team to play more unselfishly," explained Boyle, whose assist totals are even more impressive considering he missed the first four games of the MLL season as he finished up his Princeton career.

"We're trying to get everybody involved and share the ball. You learn discipline and patience at Princeton. It's hard here with the 45-second shot clock but we try not to be too trigger-happy."

The insertion of Boyle into the Barrage attack has helped the team surge as it has won three straight games to get into the playoff chase in the MLL's American Division.

"There is a buzz," asserted Boyle, who had two goals and four assists last Saturday to lead the Barrage to a crucial 17-13 win over the Baltimore Bayhawks as Philadelphia improved to 5-5 on the season.

"This is a team that has been dormant. We've got some momentum. I feel like we've put ourselves in a good position. We're playing Long Island and Baltimore who we are battling with us for the playoffs."

In the process, Boyle believes he is helping to dispel the notion that Princeton's success is due more to its deliberate style than the talent of the players in the program.

"I'm trying to show that the Princeton guys can play in the fast-paced world of pro lacrosse," declared Boyle, who currently has 36 points as he has fired in 11 goals to go along with his 25 assists.

"We get grief for what others call our snail's pace but that's the system that has worked for us. We get taught how to win."

In any event, Boyle is hoping to keep his lacrosse gig for a little longer. "I'm going to wait and see about the future," said Boyle, a psychology major who is considering getting into either medicine or the culinary field. "If I still have an opportunity to do this next year, I would be happy to do it."