In their inaugural season, the Florida Launch are taking the Major League Lacrosse by storm. After losing on the opening weekend to Boston, the Launch have won three straight, beating good teams, by good margins, with a balanced attack. After the first month of lacrosse, the Launch find themselves second in the league standings, second in Majorleaguelacrosse.com’s power rankings, behind the unbeaten Denver Outlaws in each category.
Veteran Casey Powell and newcomer Kieran McArdle are making their presence felt through the first four games of the season. Casey has collected Warrior Player of the week award twice, while Kieran picked up Rookie of the Week honors last week. Garrett Thul has also been a great asset to the team, taking Warrior player of the week in their Week 2 win.
Florida is making a serious case for top team in the league this year. Casey Powell agrees saying the Launch, “are in it to win it.” Casey is well aware of what it takes to get to Championship weekend. Powell, who has been in the league since it started, has won a championship with Rochester in his earlier years, and is now the record holder for points in a career in the league. Kevin Cunningham has been doing what he does best, and that’s finishing.
Tucker Durkin has his defense firing on all cylinders, keeping opponents under 10 goals a game during the win streak. Christopher Mattes has proved to be of value at the faceoff X. Mattes is a smooth 48 of 100 on the year, which is good enough for third in the league in FO percentage.
A lot of things are going right for the Launch; the team is really starting to play well together. They went up to Chesapeake last weekend and never let them hang around. It was a great team effort from the Launch with lots of contributions. While a few late goals by the Bayhawks kept the scoreboard from looking as lopsided the game was but it was indeed a blowout.
After the break, the Launch travel to Rochester for their first matchup with the Rattlers this season. Florida is riding a high right now, playing fearless at home and now on the road. Rochester better be ready to go. Game time is set for Sunday, June 1 at 1 pm.
