Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/26/18
From Press Release
The Florida Launch got amazing goaltending from Austin Kaut (Springfield-Delco, Penn State, Duke’s LC, NetNation & Blue Ox instructor) and outlasted the Ohio Machine Thursday night in an exciting 13-12 win at Fortress Obetz, Ohio.
Kieran McArdle recorded six points, followed by Dylan Molloy and Ryan Drenner who added five and four points respectively. Ten of the thirteen goals scored by the offense came from the attackmen. Defensively, Kaut made a season-high 25 saves, with his highest save percentage of 2018, .67. Kaut was named the game’s Coca-Cola Player of the Game.
The first quarter set the tempo for the entire game, as the Launch came out moving the ball fast and pushing transition. Ryan Drenner started the night off with the first of his three goals three minutes into the game. After trading goals throughout the first 15 minutes, the Machine came out with a one goal advantage. However, Molloy sparked an explosive second quarter that saw seven Launch goals, five unanswered through the quarter. Coach Tom Mariano said of Molloy, “his off ball play has improved so much… his dodging really creates space for him and his teammates.” Going into the half, the team was up 9-6 and narrowly edged out the Machine in ground balls and face-offs.
After the halftime break, McArdle was the lone scorer for the team with two goals in the quarter. The Machine started to make a run late in the third to tie the game at 10 before McArdle scored his third goal of the night ot give the lead back to the Launch heading into the fourth.
The final 15 minutes of play were back and forth, but the Launch were able to secure the win after Kaut’s play of the game, where he double teamed Machine attackman, Davey Emala, and caused a turnover with one minute remaining in the game. This win is their fifth on the season and first ever in Ohio, and keeps Florida’s playoff hopes alive going into their second game this week against Atlanta at home. On the win, Coach Mariano stated, “I thought we did a good job maintaining the course. Our biggest problem has been consistency this year. We’ve got to… just be simple, play lacrosse and have some fun.”
Watch the Launch play that final home game this Saturday against the Atlanta Blaze at FAU Stadium! Face-off is set for 7PM and will be the team’s Fan Appreciation Night!
