thanks to Megan Danner of the Launch for the game preview and Game NotesFlorida Launch Game 1 Game-NotesWhat: Game #1Who: Florida Launch (0-0) at Chesapeake Bayhawks (0-0)When: Sunday, April 19 – 4 PMWhere: Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumHow: TV: www.espn3.com (Live) and Fox Sports Florida (4:30 PM)
Game #1 PreviewThe Florida Launch hits the road to start its second MLL season against the Chesapeake Bayhawks in Annapolis, Maryland. Both teams sat out the first week of MLL play and start fresh with 0-0 records. The Launch welcomes back 2014 ML MVP & Offensive Player of the Year Casey Powell and 2014 Rookie of the Year Kieran McArdle to lead the way with the Launch’s stacked offensive line. The Launch’s 2014 All-MLL Defenseman Tucker Durkin will take the reins of the Launch’s young but talented defensive unit that will need to step up to keep up with its counterparts in the MLL.Launch vs. Bayhawks SeriesThe Bayhawks and Launch split its regular season matchups in 2014, with both sides taking victories on the road. In the first matchup, played in Chesapeake, future Rookie of the Year Kieran McArdle paced the Launch with five goals in the 15-11 victory May 7. Brett Queener stopped 19 of the 30 shots on goal in the win while Steven Brooks led the Bayhawks with his first hat trick of the season. In the rematch on June 28, Stephen Keogh put the Launch ahead early, but a 3-0 run by the Bayhawks gave them a lead that they kept for the remainder of the contests. Back-to-back goals from McArdle and Roman Lao-Gosney in a span of 38 seconds knotted the score at 4-4, but Ben Rubeor scored less than 40 seconds later that started a 6-0 rally for the visitors. Keogh had three goals in the loss while league MVP Casey Powell posted a pair of goals and assists for four points. On the opposite side, Joe Walters had a game-high four goals and four assists for eight points while Matt Mackrides had two goals, one two-point goal and three assists for six points.
Scouting the BayhawksDespite finishing at the bottom of the league in goals for (160), the Chesapeake Bayhawks set themselves apart from the pack with their defense that surrendered the third-lowest goals against (173). Offensively the Bayhawks were led by Joe Walters who posted 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in just nine games, Drew Westervelt also eclipsed 30 points with a team-high 22 goals over 11 games. At the goalie position Chesapeake has options in Kip Turner and Tyler Fiorito. Turner and Fiorito both ranked in the Top 10 in goals allowed average in 2014 with 11.65 for Turner (2nd) and 12.35 for Fiorito (5th) and save percentage with Turner ranking third with .552 results and Fiorito right behind him at .531. The Bayhawks look to revamp its defensive presence with the additions of veterans Kyle Sweeney and Brian Spallina during the offseason.Coach’s CornerExpectations for Game 1:“Our expectations for the first game of the season are to compete for the entire 60 minutes and not fall behind at any point. To be successful from beginning to end, we will need to play great team and individual defense, as well as execute at the offensive end of the field.”Biggest Challenge:“I think the biggest challenge for the team coming into this weekend’s game is being on the same page. We have some new faces out there and it’s going to take a little bit of time for all of it to sink in for them. The sooner we can do that the better our chances will be at reaching our goals.”Step Up and Lead:“I think the biggest person that’s going to step up this season is Casey Powell. I think he’s going to help us lead in the locker room, be another coach on the field and be a great mentor to all the new players coming in this season. We are also looking for Brett Queener, Kieran McArdle, Tucker Durkin and Chris Mattes to have a good year and be the faces of the team.
Launch TogetherComing Back for More: The Florida Launch sees 18 of its inaugural season players return for the second Launch MLL season. Casey Powell begins his 12th MLL season along with Steven Brooks for his 9th, Brett Queener for his 9th, Adam Fullerton for his 9th and PT Ricci for his 9th.Back of the Net Leaders: In 2014, the Launch had seven players in the MLL’s Top 50 for scoring, including the #1 and #9 leaders. Casey Powell recorded 30 goals and 33 assists for a total of 63 points to lead the MLL. Kieran McArdle scored 34 goals and 15 assists for 49 points which had him leading all 2014 MLL rookies. Kevin Cunningham had a total of 27 points, Steven Brooks tallied 25 points and David Earl tallied 16 points to earn a Top 50 spot.Noteworthy Players#6 Kieran McArdle (A)– Kieran McArdle was the standout rookie in the 2014 MLL season. McArdle joined the Launch in May 2014 and made his presence known on the field in every game. McArdle ended his rookie year with 34 goals and 15 assists for a total of 49 points, leading the MLL rookies which led to him winning the 2014 MLL Rookie of the Year award.
#22 Casey Powell (A)– To say Casey Powell took over the 2014 MLL season is an understatement. The at the time 38-year old dominated the young and talented league and became the MLL’s all-time scoring leader with 468 points. Powell ended the 2014 season with 30 goals and 33 assists for a total of 63 points. Powell was named the 2014 MLL MVP, 2014 MLL Offensive Player of the Year and 2014 All-MLL Attackman.
#44 Steven Brooks (M)– Steven Brooks joined the Launch in the middle of the season after a big trade brought him into the fold. Prior to joining the Launch, Brooks only scored six goals and three assists in eight game for the Bayhawks but with the Launch he scored 10 goals and four assists in only four games.
#51 Tucker Durkin (D)– In only his second MLL season, Tucker Durkin blazed a fire on the field becoming one of the best defenseman in 2014. Durkin was awarded for his hard work on the field being named a 2014 All-MLL Defenseman. Durkin also played for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2014 FIL World Championships and was named Outstanding Defender of the Championships and named to the All-World Team.
#65 Chris Mattes (FO)– As the only face-off specialist on the Launch’s roster in 2014, Chris Mattes became one of the best at the X in the MLL. Mattes took almost all of the Launch’s draws and finished with a 49.6% win percentage. Mattes finished the 2014 season taking the most draws in the MLL (200-403).
Up Next:The Florida Launch opens up its home season next Sunday, April 26, when the team welcomes the Chesapeake Bayhawks to their home at FAU Stadium. The teams face-off at 1:00 p.m. Tickets available by visiting www.floridalaunchlacrosse.com/tickets.
Scouting the Bayhawks
Despite finishing at the bottom of the league in goals for (160), the Chesapeake Bayhawks set themselves apart from the pack with their defense that surrendered the third-lowest goals against (173). Offensively the Bayhawks were led by Joe Walters who posted 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in just nine games, Drew Westervelt also eclipsed 30 points with a team-high 22 goals over 11 games. At the goalie position Chesapeake has options in Kip Turner and Tyler Fiorito. Turner and Fiorito both ranked in the Top 10 in goals allowed average in 2014 with 11.65 for Turner (2nd) and 12.35 for Fiorito (5th) and save percentage with Turner ranking third with .552 results and Fiorito right behind him at .531. The Bayhawks look to revamp its defensive presence with the additions of veterans Kyle Sweeney and Brian Spallina during the offseason.
Coach’s Corner
Expectations for Game 1:
“Our expectations for the first game of the season are to compete for the entire 60 minutes and not fall behind at any point. To be successful from beginning to end, we will need to play great team and individual defense, as well as execute at the offensive end of the field.”
Biggest Challenge:
“I think the biggest challenge for the team coming into this weekend’s game is being on the same page. We have some new faces out there and it’s going to take a little bit of time for all of it to sink in for them. The sooner we can do that the better our chances will be at reaching our goals.”
Step Up and Lead:
“I think the biggest person that’s going to step up this season is Casey Powell. I think he’s going to help us lead in the locker room, be another coach on the field and be a great mentor to all the new players coming in this season. We are also looking for Brett Queener, Kieran McArdle, Tucker Durkin and Chris Mattes to have a good year and be the faces of the team.
