Cade Dino is of a rare breed. He’s Section IV’s first TWO-TIME US Lacrosse All American, an incredible accomplishment. His high school career saw him put up 214 points thanks to 129 goals and 85 assists. He dominated the face-off dot over his playing career winning more than 80 percent of his draws.
Winning face-offs in high school doesn’t equate to winning face-offs at the D1 level, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s just one of the many items in Dino’s overflowing toolbox of lacrosse skills.
I envision numerous ways Dino could find himself running around on the field for Hobart.
Face-Off Dot
Could he see time taking draws for the Statesmen? Maybe, but it won’t be easy. Hobart returns Adam Shea (55.6%) and Jake shaifer (61.5%). Both played well for Hobart in 2022 and assuming both are back Dino at least adds depth to that position and could potentially fight for time.
Face-Off Wing or SSDM
Any time you have a face-off guy that can both scrap and score, that kid has a chance of getting some time playing the short-stick wing on the draws, or maybe time as a defensive midfielder. I’m not sure he’s the defensive midfield type, but it’s not rocket science, and he is already more than proficient at picking up groundballs and he’d be a huge threat in transition.
Offensive Midfielder
Getting offensive reps is really tough at the D1 level. Pat Carlin (Vestal) managed to break through and get meaningful offensive reps at Syracuse putting up 3 goals and an assist his redshirt senior season. But Dino has a solid build, great hands and feat and has worked his butt off his entire career to achieve this goal of playing lacrosse at the next level, so I’d never count him out. Do I think he’s going to put up points in his rookie season? Maybe a couple if he can find his way onto the field via faceoffs or on defense (in transition).
But Hobart picked up a hell of a player when Dino chose them. He’s a veritable utility knife of a lacrosse player and I think that we’ll see him get some burn before his career is over and I look forward to covering it.
