Di Miller, Beat Writer Florida Launch
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Florida Launch (2-7) headed north to face the MLL Champs, the New York Lizards (6-4) at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY. The Lizards came into the game looking at a two-game losing streak followed by the All Star break. The Launch are just trying to salvage something of their season. Of the 5,022 fans in attendance, the shock in their faces was evident as their team lost their third straight game. Many have questioned the choices New York has made with all their recent trades, which seems as though aren’t working out for the best. The Launch have an abundance of talent on their roster, but can’t seem to get into synch. Tonight was a different story. The Launch would come away with their second victory of the season. Final Score: Florida 20—New York 19.
Florida came out of the gates with one goal in mind…win, win, win, and they did just that. Kieran McArdle would start the Launch off only 56 seconds in; followed by Connor Buczek with a two-point goal; and another by McArdle to put four on the board for the Launch. Dave Lawson would stop the run scoring for the Lizards at 5:40. Greg “The Beast” Gurenlian would notch another for the Lizards; but Florida would answer back with one from Steve Brooks, his first of two in the quarter. The Lizards would see Rob Pannell score twice; as well as one from Drew Westervelt. But it would be Florida dominating the quarter. The final goal was a sick feed from Steve Pontrello coming from behind the cage to Brooks and the southpaw would hit net top left. Score at the end of the first: Florida 8—New York 4.
It was obvious that the Launch had good ball control in the first; getting their own rebounds; and capitalizing against the MLL Champs. The Lizards were looking sloppy; out of synch; and not playing the type of ball they are quite capable of.
Heading into the second, Kyle Hartzell would get the ground ball off the opening face-off; feeding it to Lawson with the assist to Pannell for a trickle in goal. Chris Piccirilli, LSM for the Lizards would finish off the next face-off win for Gurenlian. Blye would finish off the next shot with the help of Lyle Thompson who held off three defenders with less than 10 seconds on the shot clock. Thompson had a nice pass to Blye for the score. Drew Adams 
would make two spectacular back-to-back saves off hot shots from the Launch and would end up on the turf. The Lizards would regain control and Paul Rabil would dodge and fake out rookie Matt Landis and sent it past Kaut like a bullet. P.T. Ricci would make the swim-dodge to blow by the defender and get the pass to McArdle in front of the net for the goal. Brian Spallina would be called for a slash giving the Launch the power-play with less than four minutes in the half. Pontrello would take advantage off of the pass from (L) Thompson and make two top fakes and shoot low to fake out Adams for the score. With less than ten seconds left in the first half, Lawson would get between two defenders; make a nice behind-the-back pass off the turf to Rabil who would sling and shoot for this second goal of the game. Score at the end of two: Florida: 11—New York 8.
Starting off the third, the Lizards knew they had to change it up defensively, and get the ball to Rabil and Lawson. But it would the Launch who dominated in the beginning of the frame with a three-goal run. Then Rabil got the fast break and shot his mind-blowing two-pointer to stop the Launch in their tracks…or so the Lizards thought. Each team would answer with back and forth goals, but at the end of the third, the Launch would still lead 17—13.
There were 15 minutes left on the clock and the Lizards were desperately trying to figure out how to turn the game around and dominate the Launch for the win. But every time New York would put one between the pipes, Florida would find a way to turn it around. As the game progressed, the Lizards would chip away at the lead, bringing the score to within two off a two-pointer by Lawson with only 56 seconds left. Lizards fans were hopeful as Chris LaPierre would bring it to within one only eight seconds later. The nail biting began as it was all a matter of who won the final face-off to gain and keep control of the ball for the final 50 seconds of the game. Florida gained possession on the final face-off and Coach Ross, for reasons unknown, would call a time-out with 38 seconds left and McArdle with possession. After the time-out with possession of the ball, the Launch gave it to (L) Thompson to burn off the clock. Even being double-teamed, it’s virtually impossible to force a turnover with Thompson. Florida was fortunate enough to play smart ball and keep it out of control of the Lizards to go on for their second win of the 2016 season. Final Score: Launch 20—Lizards 19.
Kieran McArdle goes away with the MVP of the game. Having scored seven goals; and three assists, giving him 10 points on the night, his level of play and domination at attack was pivotal in the victory over the Lizards.
Next up, Florida heads home for a short rest and will get ready to host the Chesapeake Bayhawks (6-4) on Saturday July 16, 2016.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Florida Launch
Lacrosse is Awesome