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Launch Seek Second Straight Win Against Outlaws

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in .
via the Launch web site   The Florida Launch will look for their second straight win against the Denver Outlaws in the 11th annual Mile High Fourth of July fireworks game on Monday, July 4. The Launch head into the road matchup seeking a season sweep of the Outlaws having won the last meeting 19-16 in Boca Raton. In the win, Florida’s Owen Blye earned Coca-Cola Player of the Game honors with a career-high five goals. Kieran McArdle, Connor Buczek, and Lyle Thompson each registered a hat trick to lift the team to its first victory of the season. Goalkeeper Austin Kaut helped on the other end of the field with a season-high 21 saves. The Launch were supposed to play the Charlotte Hounds on June 18 but severe weather forced Major League Lacrosse to reschedule the game for July 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the cancellation, the Launch will now have the unique opportunity to play the same opponent back-to-back. Despite it being the same team, Denver will have a bit of a new look after this week’s trade deadline. The Outlaws have allowed a league-worst 153 goals this season and look to improve that number with a trade for the Ohio Machine’s Adam Fullerton. Fullerton stopped the Launch in the season opener with a solid performance but Denver had to give up lacrosse legend John Grant Jr. to acquire help between the pipes. Denver’s offense will also be without Tim Barber this week due to injury. Barber recorded two goals and one assist in the trip to Florida. Florida coach Stan Ross opted to not make any moves before the deadline, keeping the talented roster together for the rest of the year. The roster is loaded with top-notch skill as four players were selected to the 2016 MLL All-Star Game. Buczek, McArdle, defenseman Tucker Durkin, and faceoff specialist Chris Mattes will head to California to represent their team on July 9. Through the Collegiate Draft, the Launch picked up several players that look to make an impact down the stretch. Matt Landis, the draft’s third overall selection, and Liam Byrnes, Marquette’s first ever draftee, have combined for 11 ground balls and three caused turnovers since joining the team earlier in June. Faceoff is set for 8:30p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Lax Sports Network. Follow the Florida Launch on Twitter @Florida_Launch for live updates of the game.  

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