Lacrosse family takes on competition

Sports

Posted By Kevin Rushworth, Reporter

Posted 1 month ago

Outside their Cowley home, it's not uncommon to find the three Cadonic boys practicing the game of lacrosse, a sport that quite literally runs in their family. From first glance, it is easy to see the well-used lacrosse net nestled under a tree and the balls on the lawn.

For any sports team, the role of team captain—although not necessarily always a spoken title—is necessary. However, for the Cadonic family, each of the boys takes on the role of team leader on their own subsequent Crowsnest Pass Ravens lacrosse league with pride and determination.

Eric Cadonic has been playing for six years and he said his favourite aspects of the game are hitting and shooting. He said he hopes to continue playing lacrosse for as long as he can.

However, there was a time where he couldn't take part in lacrosse because there weren't enough players to make a team. He could only sit and watch his brothers take part in the game.

"For their entire season, I was just sitting on the bleachers watching," Eric Cadonic said. "I wanted to play."

After finally playing his first game, he said he wasn't very good and that his brothers' playing made him want to get better.

For his mother, Tracey Cadonic, watching him during his first year was a nerve-wracking experience as his brothers went to a rather different extent to have a goalie in net.

"They duck taped pillows to him because they wanted a goalie during the first year they ever played," she said. "They duck taped pillows to him so he could be the goalie. I was so worried he was going to get hurt and he was saying, 'It's OK Mom, it's OK.'

She said he was very happy to be on the turf playing lacrosse with his older brothers. Eric Cadonic said he was incredibly excited to be playing for the first time.

When asked about what it meant for him to be a leader, he said he enjoys everyone looking up to him and that he tries to help younger players out when they don't understand certain drills.

For his brother Chad, who plays on the bantam Crowsnest Pass Ravens, he said the end of this past lacrosse season marked his seventh year playing.

Just like his younger and older brothers, he takes the role of leader and has a few tips for younger players just starting to get into the game.

"Don't be scared to get hit when you have the ball and don't be scared to shoot it either," he said. "For defense, stay on their stick side and then they can't shoot."

Chad Cadonic said it means a lot for him to be able to play lacrosse with both his younger and older brothers.

"I like playing with my brothers, because we work together well," he said. "Since we're always playing outside our house, we always know plays that we set up. I just play better with my brothers."

For eldest brother Josh Cadonic, 16, who plays on the Crowsnest Pass midget team, he enjoys the big hits just like his two younger brothers. He is looking forward to possibly playing on a junior team in the Pass next season if enough players show an interest.

Tracey Cadonic said her son Chad enjoys playing with his older brother and that they watch out for each other when they're on the turf.

"His older brother (Josh) looks out for him when he's out on the floor," she said. "They all play really well together because they are always practicing out here together. They know each other's little moves."

At the recent lacrosse awards night, Eric Cadonic was awarded with Outstanding Player Award for the Pee Wees while his brother Chad was titled the Most Outstanding Bantam player.