thanks to Megan Danner of the Launch for the game preview   What: Game #11 Who: Charlotte Hounds (3-7) at Florida Launch (2-8) When: Friday, July 3 at 7:30 pm Where: FAU Stadium How: TV: www.espn3.com (Live)   Game #11 Preview The Florida Launch concludes its three-game home stand on Friday, July 3 when they play host to the Charlotte Hounds at 7:30 PM. Both teams are entering the match with victories in their previous outings and both being the only teams to beat the #1 MLL team New York Lizards.   Launch vs. Hounds Series The Florida Launch is 1-1 versus the Charlotte Hounds, with each side winning on its home field. The Hounds were the victims of the Launch’s first ever win, as the home side never trailed in the 11-8 victory back in 2014. Casey Powell paced the offense in the win with two goals and three assists for five points, while Brett Queener saved 18 shots for his first Launch win. In the second leg of the series, a six-goal third quarter by the Hounds was too much for the Launch to overcome, resulting in a 14-13 loss on the road. The Launch was able to make it a one-goal game with less than four minutes left but could not find the equalizing goal. Powell had an identical stat line of two goals three assists for five points, while Kieran McArdle had two goals and an assist for three points.   Game #10 Recap The Florida Launch ended June with a 16-12 victory over the top team in the MLL, the New York Lizards, on Friday, June 26. The Launch doubled its two-point goal total for the season in the opening quarter, and went into halftime with a 10-7 lead. After allowing the Lizards to start the second half with a quick 3-0 run, the Launch scored six of the final eight goals. Kieran McArdle and Casey Powell both had five points in the match, with Steven Brooks and Connor Buczek both providing three points. Brett Queener, playing the bulk of the game, saved 18 shots while only allowing 10 goals.   Launch Together Launch Debuts: After a plethora of trades leading up to Friday’s game, there were three players who made their Launch debuts last week. Jovan Miller excited fans in his first game in a Launch jersey with a two-point goal for his first score and an assist for three points, while Nick Galasso also found the back of the net in his first MLL game. Austin Kaut, making a brief appearance in the circle in his Launch debut, managed to save four shots in just over seven minutes of action.  

Both pictures via LaxMagazine.Com

  Doubling Down: After only producing a pair of two-point goals in the first nine games, having none until game number seven, the Launch doubled its season’s total in the first quarter of the Lizards game. Connor Buczek leads the team with two, becoming the first Launch player with multiple two-point goals in a season.   Coach’s Corner  

  On the Right Path: “We are starting to gel as team now that we have everyone on the same page. It’s tough in this league to come together as a team when you only practice maybe once a week and the players are trying to figure each other out during the game itself. This team hasn’t quit all season in any game – they’ve been fighting back in every game. You can’t say these players haven’t been putting in the effort this season and it’s starting to pay off. We are going to continue to improve and get better by putting the pieces of the puzzle together one by one.” Rookie of the Week: “Buczek came in and was injured in his first outing but that didn’t stop him. He’s now back at it and understands what we need him to do. He is feeling comfortable on the field and with the team, knowing what he needs to do on the field to produce.” Impressive Comeback: “Coming out of the half and during the first five minutes of the second half is where we lost our lead and the momentum but we took their hits and punches and got back at it. The work the players put in showed you the character of the team. They didn’t give up when the game had turned in favor of New York. They kept on going to chip away at their lead and changed the momentum of the game in their favor.” Match Up: “We need to focus Charlotte’s transition game – that is where they have been getting on the board quickly. We need to be ready for their fast transition and play good transition defense. We need to get back quicker than we have been to stop those goals and giving them the momentum of the game.”   Noteworthy Players   #6 Kieran McArdle (A) – With four goals scored versus New York, Kieran McArdle remains atop the league in goals scored with 33 and is third in total points with 45. McArdle is closing in on his numbers that made him the MLL Rookie of the Year last season, only needing one more and three assists to match them. He is six points away from 100 career points, all with the Launch.  

  #7 Jovan Miller (M) – In the upcoming matchup versus the Charlotte Hounds, Jovan Miller brings knowledge of the current squad, having played against them twice already and also being a part of the Hounds’ inaugural season squad. In his first game with the Launch, Miller helped the Launch with its lead with his first two-point goal of the season.  

  #20 Connor Buczek (M) – In the last game Connor Buczek became the Florida Launch’s all-time leader in two-point goals scored with his second on the season. His performance also earned him the week 10 Cascade Rookie of the Week. Four games into his MLL career Buczek has five goals, two two-point goals and one assist.  

  #22 Casey Powell (A) – With his five-point game on Friday, Casey Powell has taken back the number two spot on the Launch for total points. Powell sits with 28 points from 15 goals and 13 assists. Powell has scored one point in every game this season.  

  #23 Brett Queener (G) – Getting his first tally in the W column this season, Brett Queener held the Launch steady between the pipes with a season-high at home 18 saves against the Lizards and only allowed ten goals. Queener sits second in the MLL for save percentage with .588.  

  Up Next: The Launch and Hounds will be back at it again, as the two sides finish their regular season series on Saturday, July 11 in Charlotte. The Launch continue on the road when they head out west to take on the Denver Outlaws at Mile High Stadium before concluding the 2015 season at home on Saturday, July 25, taking on the Rochester Rattlers.