Philadelphia goalie Brian Dougherty is having a spectacular season. After holding New Jersey to just seven points last weekend and stopping 23 shots, Dougherty earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. Major League Lacrosse caught up with Dougherty to get his thoughts on receiving the honor and the remainder of the 2006 season.

Q: What are your thoughts on this season so far?

A: I think we’re doing pretty good. We’re 6-2 and I don’t think many people expected that from us. We’re having fun.

Q: Philadelphia got off to a great start and then went on a 2 game skid. What happened?

A: I think we just got too big for our britches. We started to think we were better than we were. It’s easy to get on top but it is hard to stay on top. Plus those games were against Boston, who is a good team and a classy team. A very classy team. That’s for Ryan Curtis.

Q: How are the World Games going to affect the Barrage?

A: We’re going to be missing some good players. Hopefully no one gets hurt. It’s good that we’re playing Long Island who is also missing a lot of guys rather than Baltimore who isn’t losing anyone. We wish them all the best of luck.

Q: You recently ran a goalie camp. What is your favorite thing about running the camp?

A: It’s cool being around the kids and ordering pizza and letting them run wild. Its great to watch them progress.

Q: What are your thoughts on being named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season?

A: It’s pretty cool. I was seeing the ball really well last week but the guys behind me did a great job. It’s an honor and it’s cool but there are a lot of guys helping out. But I was seeing the ball really well.

Q: How do you see Philadelphia finishing out the season?

A: I don’t look too far ahead. I know we have Long Island next but I don’t know the schedule after that. If we lose three out of the next four games we don’t make the playoffs. If we win the next three out of four we will make the playoffs. We just have to keep winning. We have to focus and take it one game at a time.

Q: The Cannons and the Barrage are the frontrunners of the eastern conference. Who do you think is your biggest competition down the road in the west?

A: I actually haven’t watched a western conference game yet, to be honest. Except for Los Angeles because they are always on TV. I know that Denver scores 20 goals a game but also allows 20 goals a game. I know in San Francisco that Ryan Powell is having a good season. But other than that I really only get to watch LA.