Annapolis, Maryland–The Florida Launch got their third consecutive win to improve their record to 3-1 early in the season. With the loss, the defending champion Bayhawks fall to 1-3. Florida made its first trip outside of its home confines to get the victory.
Chesapeake opened the scoring with a Steven Brooks alley dodge, giving the defending champs an early 1-0 lead. Nearly 10 minutes would go by until the scoreboard would be lit again as Garrett Thul would open up the scoring for the Launch. Kieran McArdle would get his first goal of his MLL career to give the Launch a 2-1 lead. Brendan Mundorf would finish the scoring for the Bayhawks in the period to tie the game at two.
Kieran McArdle scored again, as Casey Powell found him cutting to the crease to give the Launch another lead at 3-2. The first two-goal lead came when Powell found Kevin Crowley cutting, a play similar in fashion to their previous goal. Steven Brooks cut the lead in half with another goal, dodging right from out of the substitution box.
Chris Lapierre took the ball coast-to-coast, beating Bayhawks goalie Kip Turner low, to get the lead back to three. Powell registered his third assist when he found McArdle alone in front to increase the lead to three. With that assist, Powell tied the all-time points marker in the league.
Peet Poillon scored to cut the Launch lead to 6-4 with 6:24 remaining in the half. Casey Powell dodged topside and scored behind the back to give him the all time scoring record in the MLL. With that goal, the Launch led by three. Brett Queener had made a couple of great saves to keep the Launch in front by a score of 7-4 at half.
The second half scoring started with Kevin Crowley beating Turner low from the outside. The goal gave the Launch a four-goal advantage early in the second half. The Bayhawks looked to have a two-point goal scored by Michael Kimmel but a procedural call erased the tally. In response, Florida took possession and Kevin Cunningham scored further increase the Florida lead.
Josh Amidon scored off an assist from long stick midfielder PT Ricci. On the play, the Bayhawks also committed a slashing penalty to give the Launch a six-goal advantage and an extra man situation. On the ensuing possession, Powell found Thul to increase the lead to 11-4 in favor of the Launch.
Kieran McArdle scored yet another goal to continue his career day. The following faceoff Cunningham found Thul on the doorstep to further increase the lead. Turnovers gave the Launch continued possession of the ball, which they were able to capitalize on given the extra opportunities. Brendan Mundorf would end the drought and Poillon scored as time expired to give the Bayhawks six goals through three quarters of play.
Kieran McArdle gave Florida a four-goal advantage, but the Bayhawks would score a Steven Brooks two-point tally to get them within striking distance at 14-12 with 90 seconds remaining in the game. Mario Ventiquattro scored to cap the scoring for the Launch at 15. The Bayhawks were unable to overcome the third quarter drought to be able to keep pace with the Launch, even though they would score six in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, the Bayhawks go into a bye week with a record of 1-3 for the defending champs. Up next, they will take on the Ohio Machine at Navy Marine Corp Stadium. In the win, the Florida Launch improve to 3-1 and look forward to their next opponent, the Rochester Rattlers and Casey Powell’s old team.
– Brian Davies
@briandavies15
