It was not the greatest of campaigns for the Barrie Lakeshores Junior 'A' lacrosse team.
Coach Brian Beisel’s young charges compiled only two wins in a 20-game Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) season, but at least two of the young turks came away with a positive attitude.
Offensive player (they shy away from being called “forwards," like in hockey, soccer or basketball) Matt Acchione and his twin brother,
“The 2018 season has been a great learning experience for me and the other rookies,” Matt tells BarrieToday. “I have learned how to maintain a positive attitude when things aren’t going as well as we would like.
"I’ve also learned that there is something to be taken away from each loss – a new idea, a new play, something we can all learn and grow from.”
Matt also acknowledges that, as he and
”Since the age of five, we have spent the majority of our time on the court, together," Matt says. "We almost know what the other is thinking or going to do next and that always helps. We constantly talk about lax (lacrosse) at home, during rides to and from school as well as on the court.”
Not to mention the reassurance it provides: “It’s also nice knowing that someone is out there watching out for you!”
The two have also teamed up to play field lacrosse at The Hill Academy in Concord, Ont., where greater scholastic demands are made of the students, all of it adding up to suiting up for a career at a major U.S. college.
“We are both certainly excited about the opportunity to play NCAA lacrosse. That has been the long-term goal since we started high school. We have another year left at The Hill to improve on our skills on the field and our grades.”
The Acchiones pride themselves on their speed and skill at reading the play, for which they credit their teammates.
“Playing together with
And he appreciates Beisel, as well as assistants Dave and Brandon Ree, and the guidance they offer on “what to expect in our first year of Junior 'A' lacrosse and playing on both sides of the ball to improve our overall game.”
The Acchiones have the National Lacrosse League on their “to-do” list before hanging up their sticks, but finishing junior making their college Dean’s List are bigger priorities for now, and they attack both with the same zest and competitive spirit.
”Cam and I have been competitive with each other from birth and our younger brother, Kyler, has since followed in our footsteps and become just as competitive. We compete hard against each other in everything we do from lacrosse and our grades to video games and hockey.”
