MLL Florida Launch

2016 College Draftee Tracker

Published on March 8, 2016 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Florida Launch News Release


The 2016 MLL season is fast approaching and the Florida Launch are keeping an eye on new talent to fill out their squad. Building through the draft has been a top priority for the Launch as the team drafted 8 players in this year's MLL Collegiate Draft. Here we have a breakdown of everything these NCAA stars are accomplishing before taking their game to the next level.

With the 3rd overall pick, Florida selected Notre Dame Matt Landis (D). Through four games for the #1 ranked Fighting Irish, Landis has collected 9 ground balls and forced 7 turnovers proving that he is a budding defensive force to be reckoned with. ND is coming off a huge 9-4 win against Maryland and is looking to keep it rolling this weekend against the #2 ranked Denver team.

Henry West (M) and the Terps are looking to rebound from a 9-4 loss to Notre Dame at the Pacific Coast Shootout. The middie tallied 1 ground ball and 1 assist. West and the Terps are currently ranked 11th and play Princeton this Saturday.

Marquette's Liam Byrnes (M) made history as the first player in school history to be drafted into the MLL when the Florida Launch took him in the 3rd round. The Golden Eagles are off to a 3-1 start with major contributions coming from Byrnes and fellow MLL draftees Jacob Richard (New York Lizards) and B.J. Grill (Denver Outlaws). As MU's all-time leader in ground balls and caused turnovers, it's no surprise that Byrnes is back at it this year with 8 GBs and 10 CTs in his four games.

The Launch may have added one of the best steals in the 3rd round of the MLL Draft when they took UNC's Steve Pontrello (M). The Tar Heels are off to a 3-2 start and much of that comes off of Pontrello's efforts in what looks to be a huge senior year. He has notched 12 goals and 3 assists in five starts for the Heels.

Harvard and Devin Dwyer (A) are now 4-0 after a 14-9 victory over Duke. Dwyer tallied 6 points which consisted of 4 goals and 2 assists. Dwyer currently has 3 hat tricks in four games for the 7th ranked Harvard.

Robby Haus (D) of Ohio State has shown early in the collegiate season why he was worthy of a draft selection. The Buckeyes are coming off a two game win at the Midwest Lacrosse Classic. Ohio State beat both Bellarmine and Marquette: 9-5 and 12-8, respectively.

Bryant University goalkeeper Gunnar Waldt tallied 12 saves against last weekend's game against Yale even though they ended up losing 4-14. He has a season high of 16 saves (vs. Hartford) for the team which earned him Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the week.

The draftees are making noise with their schools and The Tewaaraton Foundation is listening. The 2016 Tewaaraton Award watch list was recently released highlighting the top 50 players nationwide across all divisions of men's lacrosse. Launch draftees Devin Dwyer, Robby Haus, Matt Landis, and Gunnar Waldt were named to the list and are hoping to join future teammates Miles Thompson and Lyle Thompson as a winner of this prestigious award.  

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Major League Lacrosse Stories from March 8, 2016


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