First Star
Casey Powell (Florida Launch)
For the second week in a row, Major League Lacrosse named a Florida Launch player the Warrior Offensive Player of the Week for Week 3. Ten-year MLL veteran Casey Powell took the award for his stellar play in his team’s 10-9 victory over the visiting Ohio Machine.
Powell led the Launch to its second win of the season with a five-goal performance. He helped give the Launch an early 4-0 lead over the Ohio Machine in the first quarter by scoring two of the four goals. In addition to helping the Launch secure its second consecutive win of the 2014 inaugural season, Powell is now three points away from reclaiming first place on the league leaderboard with 421 career points.
“Casey is off to an incredible start this season. He has bought into what we are trying to do at the offensive end of the field and has been a great player, teammate and leader for the Launch,” said Head Coach Stan Ross.
The Launch hits the road for its next two games taking on the reigning MLL champs Chesapeake Bayhawks first on Saturday, May 17, at Navy Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Second Star
Jesse Schwartznan (Denver Outlaws)
The Denver Outlaws extended their regular season winning streak to 23 games in large part due to the play of goaltender Jesse Schwartznan. Schwartznan, who stopped 24 of 33 shots on goal, spurred the Outlaws to an overtime victory against the Boston Cannons by a score of 10-9. Denver scored four consecutive goals in the fourth quarter to eventually force overtime. Then, Denver once again looked to their goalie in the overtime period as Boston won the initial draw and got a good shot away. Schwartznan made the save and immediately incited an attack in transition. The Outlaws ended up scoring off of a rebound on the subsequent push, 54 seconds into overtime.
The Outlaws look to keep their unblemished record alive as they face the Rattlers this Saturday at 7 pm.
Third Star
John LoCascio (Rochester Rattlers)
The Cascade Rookie of the Week honor was awarded to John LoCascio, who played in his first MLL game with the Rochester Rattlers just days after ending his season with Villanova. LoCascio’s standout performance on defense helped hold the New York Lizards offense in check on Friday. The Rattlers avenged their only loss of the season against the Lizards with a 15-8 thumping, thus splitting the Battle of New York series. In their prior matchup in Week 1, the Lizards posted 18 goals. It goes without saying that LoCascio is the jumpstart the Rattlers defense needed.
The 2014 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Big East selection and 2014 Tewaaraton Trophy Nominee can now add another award to the ever-growing trophy case.
LoCascio will suit up again with the Rattlers as they take on the undefeated Denver Outlaws this Saturday May 17 in Denver.
