The Florida Launch took on the Ohio Machine at FAU Stadium on Saturday April 23 to start their third MLL season. Ohio’s third visit to Boca Raton ended with a 16-14 loss for the hometown team. The hard fought game was led by veteran Casey Powell (7 points) and all-time Launch leading goal scorer Kieran McArdle (5 points).
The Launch opened scoring early in the first as Roman Lao-Gosney scored on a man up. The Machine quickly recovered with goals from Mark Cockerton and Peter Baum. The Launch tied it up with a goal from Casey Powell. Ohio controlled the face-offs and kept finding the back of the net in the first. Florida’s Owen Blye led the charge late in the quarter but the first quarter ended with a score of 6-3 in Ohio’s favor.
Steven Brooks stepped it up in the second quarter for Florida, contributing with two big goals to narrow the gap. Cameron Lao-Gosney read a pass to force a turnover creating a fast break opportunity for Kieran McArdle’s first goal of the night. Ohio grew the lead to 10-6, despite McArdle and Powell both tallying 3 points at the half.
McArdle brought the Launch within 3 to start the second half and Powell brought the Launch closer with an assist to Nikko Pontrello for his first Launch goal. The lead was cut to 2 goals before Kyle Harrison nailed a 2-pointer for the Machine. McArdle found Blye on a cut in front of the goal to end Ohio’s run. Both teams added 3 goals as Ohio maintained their 4 goal lead going into the final quarter.
All four quarters of play saw the Launch open the scoring, this time as Blye secured his hat-trick. Ohio answered with a score of their own shortly after. Followed by Powell dodging to goal after being tripped up, recovering nicely for a quick score. After a response from Ohio, Powell was back again getting his fourth goal and seventh point of the night. Blye followed up with another goal for himself, bringing the comeback within a score. However, the deficit proved to be too much for the Launch to overcome as the final whistle blew with the Machine winning 16-14.
Next Saturday, April 30th, the Launch will travel to play against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at 7:30 p.m. The game will be aired live on ESPN3 and Lax Sports Network will re-air the game at 11:30 a.m. ET on April 1st.