MLL comes to Portland

Portland’s taste for lacrosse continues to grow on a daily basis and the Portland LumberJax are here to feed the need. On Saturday, August 9, the organization will host a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) game between the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Barrage and the New Jersey Pride at 7:30 p.m. at Hillsboro Stadium.

The game is only the icing on what will be an action packed lacrosse week. Before the game, a week of lacrosse clinics and tournaments on the youth and high school levels begin on Tuesday, August 5 and end before the Barrage and Pride close out their regular seasons.

The clinics kick the week off on Tuesday, August 5 and go through Thursday, August 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Players and coaches from both MLL clubs will conduct these full day clinics. The cost is $60 per day or $150 for all three days. Visit www.mllpdx.com for registration information and details on ticket discounts for participants.

Friday, August 8 is when the best of the youth and high school ranks engage. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at both Hillsboro Stadium and the new 53rd St. Complex, the top players in the Pacific Northwest will play for state supremacy.

Gates open at 12:30 p.m. on Championship Saturday, August 9, leaving ample time to get situated before the youth championships start at 1:30 p.m. Upon conclusion of the youth championships, the high school finals will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Barrage attackman Ryan Boyle, third in the MLL with 58 points in 2007 and Pride defenseman Ryan McClay, who finished sixth in the league with 70 ground balls collected, will be two of the many players from the Barrage and Pride who will hold an on field youth clinic at 5:30 p.m.

The Barrage and Pride begin formal warm-ups at 6:30 p.m. before their 7:30 p.m. face-off. Philadelphia won both meetings last season by three goals in each game, so revenge will be on New Jersey’s minds.

Tickets start as low as $15 and are on sale now. Visit mllpdx.com or call Portland Lacrosse LLC at (503) 797-9739 for more details.