By: Alyssa Urtula, EBC Sports International, Florida Bureau
BOCA RATON, FL (Eagle News) — Coming off a road win against the Charlotte Hounds, the Florida Launch were back home seeking redemption from last year’s semifinal loss to the Ohio Machine. The Machine, the defending Major League Lacrosse champions defeated the Launch 13-11 Saturday night at FAU stadium.
The Launch were on the board first as they scored a goal within the starting minute of the game. However, the rest of the first quarter seemed to be a slow start for the Launch after only scoring two goals and giving up five goals to the Machine.
In the second quarter, the Launch’s top attacker, Dylan Molloy, registered a hat trick, tying the game at seven a piece by half time.
The second half became more physical with simultaneous penalties from each team at the top of the third quarter. The Launch’s attacker, Kieran McArdle, was first to score in the second half with an assist from Molloy, who also notched in another goal in the quarter. Team captain, Steven Waldeck, scored an impressive two-point buzzer beater at the end of the third putting Florida up 10-9.
However, the fourth quarter belonged to the Machine, as they scored four unanswered goals putting them up 13-10 with only a few minutes left in the game. The Machine capitalized on these goals especially from the penalties they drew from the Launch. The Launch scored one more goal within 2 minutes left, but wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
The Launch’s Head Coach, Tom Mariano, spoke about the adjustments heading into the bye-week.
“I think right now, it’s about holding ourselves accountable,” Mariano stated. “We’re not gonna be together for two weeks. We’ve gotta do the work on our own and be prepared for a big game out in Ohio on a Thursday night.”
With the second bye week ahead, the Launch have an uphill battle to lock a spot in the postseason.
“We’ve got to get to win number five, and then win number six, and then number seven. But, none of that happens if you don’t get to win number five,” Mariano added. “You do that by focusing on the details and doing the little things, which we were inconsistent on tonight.”
