MLL Team Spotlight: Florida Launch
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in Uncategorized.
via press release
In November 2015, the Atlanta Blaze picked up former Launch defensemen Casey Ikeda in the Expansion Draft. Ikeda played in eight games for the Launch for his rookie campaign and tallied one goal, two assists and 16 groundballs.
During the Collegiate Draft, the Launch kicked off their selections with USILA Defensive Player of the Year Matt Landis from Notre Dame to add depth to a strong defense. Florida selected eight collegiate players in the draft and picked up attackman Nikko Pontrello through a trade with the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Pontrello could very well join a Launch team with his brother Steve Pontrello, who was drafted by Florida in the 4th round.
This new roster will be anchored by veteran Powell, 2015 All-MLL attackman McArdle, Lyle Thompson, who finished second in 2015 Rookie of the Year voting, 2015 All-MLL defender Tucker Durkin, and defenseman PT Ricci.
Florida has continued to make offseason moves and recently traded midfielders Nicky Galasso and Joe LoCascio to the Atlanta Blaze. The Launch will receive the Blaze’s 2017 2nd round Supplemental Draft pick and 2017 4th round Collegiate Draft pick.
The season will kick off with a home opener on Saturday, April 23rd against the Ohio Machine. The Launch will then go on the road to play the Bayhawks before returning to Florida to play the New York Lizards on Saturday, May 7th. Season and individual game tickets are on sale now for the 2016 season!
Visit floridalaunchlacrosse.com/tickets or call (561) 923-9067 for more information.
Florida Launch
City: Boca Raton, Florida Stadium: Florida Atlantic University Stadium Head Coach: Stan Ross Colors: Blue, Gold, White Steinfeld Trophy Wins: 0 The Florida Launch joined the League as an expansion team for the 2014 MLL Season. The Launch formation coincided with the dissolution of the Hamilton Nationals. Former National players became the inaugural team members down in Florida. They played their season opener against the Denver Outlaws, and secured their first ever win in their second game with a victory over the Charlotte Hounds. The Launch ended their inaugural season with some notable achievements as attackman Casey Powell won both the 2014 Coca-Cola MVP award and the 2014 Warrior Offensive Player of the Year. Powell wasn’t the only Launch player to receive recognition as Kieran McArdle won 2014 Rookie of the Year honors. Florida has made key draft picks in the offseason to prepare their team for a successful 2016 season. In the Supplemental Draft, the Launch added veteran presence to their roster with the addition of 13 players, including Ken Clausen, Jeremy Thompson, and John Ortolani. Thompson will join his two younger brothers, Miles and Lyle, for the season. Florida ended the Supplemental Draft with one face-off specialist, two attackers, seven midfielders, and two defenders.
In November 2015, the Atlanta Blaze picked up former Launch defensemen Casey Ikeda in the Expansion Draft. Ikeda played in eight games for the Launch for his rookie campaign and tallied one goal, two assists and 16 groundballs.
During the Collegiate Draft, the Launch kicked off their selections with USILA Defensive Player of the Year Matt Landis from Notre Dame to add depth to a strong defense. Florida selected eight collegiate players in the draft and picked up attackman Nikko Pontrello through a trade with the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Pontrello could very well join a Launch team with his brother Steve Pontrello, who was drafted by Florida in the 4th round.
This new roster will be anchored by veteran Powell, 2015 All-MLL attackman McArdle, Lyle Thompson, who finished second in 2015 Rookie of the Year voting, 2015 All-MLL defender Tucker Durkin, and defenseman PT Ricci.
Florida has continued to make offseason moves and recently traded midfielders Nicky Galasso and Joe LoCascio to the Atlanta Blaze. The Launch will receive the Blaze’s 2017 2nd round Supplemental Draft pick and 2017 4th round Collegiate Draft pick.
The season will kick off with a home opener on Saturday, April 23rd against the Ohio Machine. The Launch will then go on the road to play the Bayhawks before returning to Florida to play the New York Lizards on Saturday, May 7th. Season and individual game tickets are on sale now for the 2016 season!
Visit floridalaunchlacrosse.com/tickets or call (561) 923-9067 for more information.
