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Lyle Thompson Suiting up for First Major League Lacrosse Game

May 21, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - Florida Launch News Release


BOCA RATON, Fla. (May 21, 2015) - The Florida Launch (Launch) announced today the activation of its 2015 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft first overall pick Lyle Thompson and 13th overall pick Chad Tutton. Both players are set to play in their first ever MLL game this Sunday, May 25, for the Launch against the Ohio Machine in Delaware, Ohio.

University of Albany attackman L. Thompson makes his MLL start after finishing one of the best college careers in NCAA history. L. Thompson finished his collegiate tenure with 175 goals and 225 assists; standing as the only player with three 100+ point seasons in Division I history. In 2014, L. Thompson was recognized as the best NCAA Division 1 lacrosse player with the Tewaaraton Award along with his brother Miles Thompson. The two became the first Native Americans to be honored with college lacrosse's top accolade. L. Thompson is a finalist for the 2015 Tewaaraton Award, his third straight year as a finalist.

"We knew we had a special player in Lyle when we drafted him in January," said Launch Head Coach Stan Ross. "He brings with him an exciting style of play that will only enhance our current attack unit with McArdle and Powell, as well as the addition of his brother Miles. This will definitely change the way teams prepare for us the rest of the season."

The Thompson brothers played three seasons together at Albany as the top attack duo in college lacrosse and combined for over 600 points from 2012-14. The two will play again together, this time for the Launch. The Launch traded with the Rochester Rattlers for M. Thompson earlier this month to reunite the brothers on the field. In his rookie season with the Rattlers, M. Thompson had 12 goals and seven assists for 19 points in only nine games.

"Reuniting the Thompsons not only helps us on the field as a team but also helps the sport of lacrosse as a whole," said Ross. "These two bring a passion for the sport like no other athlete out there and their style of play is perfect for the MLL. I know the fans can't wait to see them in action this season plus all the other new faces that this draft brought with it. The fans are in for a real treat with these rookies."

One of the top ACC midfielders Chad Tutton also joins the Launch after finishing his senior year with University of North Carolina. As a Tar Heel, Tutton scored 104 goals and tallied 25 assists for a total of 147 career points. Tutton was named a 2015 Tewaaraton Award nominee and 2015 USILA Second Team All-America, as well as named to the 2015 All-ACC Team for his performance on the field.

With the addition of L. Thompson and Tutton, the Launch has traded attackman Kevin Cunningham to the Charlotte Hounds for a 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft fourth round pick. Cunningham played in 19 games for the Launch scored 17 goals and 15 assists in that time.

"With the collegiate players coming in there are only so many spots available and we believe Kevin will be able to make a bigger impact for the Hounds than in our new roster. We can't thank Kevin enough for his hard work and charisma over the past year and half with the Launch. We wish him all the best with Charlotte."

The Florida Launch, who is currently 1-4 in the 2015 season, hit the road for three-straight road games with its first being the Ohio Machine on Sunday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. The Launch and Machine previously met earlier this season where the Launch defeated Ohio 15-12 in Boca Raton, Fla. The game will be live on ESPN3.com.

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