With six weekends left on the regular season in Major League Lacrosse the Florida Launch will have to get it together to make a run into the playoffs. Losing three of their last four was not exactly what they’d hoped for returning from Memorial Day weekend. The Launch will hit the road for four of their next six games which makes things a little tougher on the first year franchise.
The Launch aren’t really struggling on either side of the ball, their play has gotten a little sloppy in their last loss at home against Rochester, but really they are just showing the struggles of a first year program, call it growing pains. Solid group of core midfielders, who know their role has been good for them, the production is there from the middies, and the attack man that bolster this roster contribute greatly. Kieran McArdle, Casey Powell, Kevin Cunningham, and Stephen Keogh, are all threats around the cage.
Defensively, there biggest enemy is isn’t the guy with the ball, but the other five guys off-ball. Twelve of the 17 goals Rochester netted last weekend were assisted. The Launch have to better job defending off-ball in this final stretch. Brett Queener will represent Team MLL this Thursday for the MLL All Star game in the cage. Brett has been a big part of why the Launch are tied for third in the league with the New York Lizards and the Boston Cannons, it’s no question Brett was added to the All Star roster. Kevin Crowley is also playing for Team MLL this week.
Tucker Durkin and Garrett Thul will represent Team USA in the summer games approaching fast, the two will get a chance to match-up against some teammates in what will probably be a closer contest than expected.
The Launch will look for season sweeps against; Chesapeake, New York, and Ohio. They travel to Denver and will attempt to even that series after losing to the Outlaws at home to begin the season. The Launch will also play the Boston Cannons in a back to back, home and home series, at the end of July and beginning of August.
