thanks to Megan Danner of the Launch for this press release   The Florida Launch earned its first victory of the 2015 campaign on Saturday night at FAU Stadium with a 15-12 victory over the Ohio Machine. With the victory the Launch stays perfect against its MLL foe at home. With the loss Ohio falls to 1-3. Kieran McArdle had five goals with a pair of assists for a season-high seven points earning him Player of the Game. Casey Powell looked like the reigning league MVP with two goals and four assists for a season-high six points. Kevin Cunningham and David Earl both provided two goals and an assist in the win, while PT Ricci and Sam Snow logged one goal apiece. Protecting the goal, Charlie Cipriano saved 13 shots while collecting a team-high six groundballs. In the highly-anticipated matchup between McArdle and Peter Baum, two players who both were in the top-five of the league in total points heading into the contest with 13, Baum prevailed as the Machine’s leading scorer to three goals and no assists, outscored and out assisted by the Launch’s McArdle. The Launch managed to get on the scoreboard before the hour long weather delay struck, as Earl scored one of his two goals in the quarter with 12:20 left in the frame. Fresh after the break, Powell provided a goal to put the Launch up 2-0, but a pair of goals from the Machine a minute apart knotted the score at 2-2 with 8:37 left to play. Following another Earl and Machine goal, Powell found teammate Kieran McArdle for the go-ahead goal and final score of the quarter. Powell continued his offense attack in the second quarter, scoring in the opening minutes to put the home team up 5-3. The two sides exchanged the following four goals before Ohio scored a second-straight goal to tie the score at 7-7. PT Ricci and Sam Snow logged goals in the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Launch created separation from its competitor. After surrendering the opening goal of the second half, McArdle and Steven Brooks both posted back-to-back goals that put the Launch up 11-8. McArdle scored his third goal of the quarter with 1:21 left in the third, a minute and a half after the Machine scored, to keep the three point advantage and head to the final quarter up 12-9. Kevin Cunningham helped his team extend its lead in the final quarter with two goals in the opening two minutes to create a five goal advantage. The Machine scored to end the Launch’s 3-0 run, but McArdle quickly recorded his season-high fifth goal to maintain the lead. Ohio put together one final rally, scoring the final two goals to cut the lead to three. The Launch returns to action on May 16 when they host defending MLL champion Denver Outlaw at 7 pm. Tickets are available by visiting www.floridalaunchlacrosse.com/tickets. And fans can keep up with Florida’s first lacrosse team by logging onto www.floridalaunchlacrosse.com and by following @Florida_Launch on Twitter and Instagram.