The Florida Launch took a 10-6 lead with 9:02 left in the 3rd Quarter yesterday in Denver on David Earl’s first goal but then was outscored 7-0 in the last 24 minutes and fell to Denver 13-10.  The loss drops Florida to 4-7 on the season.  A win would have put Florida in a three-way tie for the last playoff spot.  Florida now returns to Boca Raton Saturday to face Boston in basically a must-win game.   http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/10284/recap-denver-13-florida-10/   From the Major League Lacrosse web site:

The Florida Launch (4-7) fell to the Denver Outlaws (8-3) for the second time this season, sinking into a four-game losing streak. The Denver Outlaws avoided a third consecutive loss and move back into a tie for first place with the Rochester Rattlers.

The Launch came out strong with three consecutive goals from rookie Kieran McArdle. The Outlaws started off slow but were able to tie it up before the quarter ended. Chris Bocklet tallied the first goal for Denver; Brent Hiken and John Grant Jr. followed suit. Former Bayhawks midfielder Steven Brooks scored his first goal with the Launch just before Denver midfielder Cam Holding answered to end the quarter tied 4-4.

The second quarter was quiet for both teams, with three goals for Florida and one for Denver. The Launch continued to dominate the out-of-sorts Outlaws as Chris Mattes used his speed to control the X. Brooks made a noteworthy 2-point goal for Florida to sustain the lead. Veteran Casey Powell had a striking over-the-shoulder feed to McArdle giving the visitors a 7-4 advantage. Holding answered for Denver and buried an unassisted top-shelf goal . At this point, Charlie Cipriano replaced Jesse Schwartzman in goal for the Outlaws, which proved to be the right decision. Kevin Cunningham wrapped it up with a goal for the Launch solidifying the 3-point lead at halftime.

Down three entering the second half, the Outlaws made a remarkable effort to come back.

Within the first two minutes of play, Drew Snider netted a goal for the Outlaws, just before McArdle scored his fifth goal of the day during a man up advantage.  David Earl increased the advantage to 10-6 finding the net for the first time in a Launch uniform. That proved to be the final Launch goal for the day.

Denver answered with two goals in two minutes from Grant earning him a hat trick and Bocklet burying it with under a minute left to play in the third. The Launch was unable to answer but held a one-point lead going into the fourth at 10-9.

Three minutes into the quarter, Jeremy Sieverts scored his 7^th 2-point goal of the season to give the Outlaws their first lead of the day.  Snider and Grant netted one goal each, keeping the Launch scoreless in the fourth and solidifying their win at 13-10..

The Denver Outlaws will hit the road to play the Ohio Machine next Saturday, July 26 at 4:30 PM ET. The game can be seen on ESPN3.com.  The Florida Launch will take on the Boston Cannons at home next Saturday as well at 7:00 PM ET. You don’t want to miss these teams fighting for their spot in the playoffs!

Game Notes

*McArdle is the only opponent to score fives goals against Denver this season.

*Denver goalie Charlie Cipriano earned Coca-Cola Player of the Game for his impressive performance off the bench.