The list of attackmen who have started as freshmen for the Virginia men’s lacrosse team reads like a who’s who of prominent lacrosse players: Michael Watson, Conor Gill, Matt Ward and Ben Rubeor, just to name a few.

Steele Stanwick will get a chance to etch his name on that list as the Baltimore native and Loyola High product is slated to start when the No. 1 Cavaliers open the regular season against Drexel this Saturday.

"Those are definitely some big shoes to fill," said Stanwick, a two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection and the 2007 Player of the Year. "Those are some of the greatest players who have ever played. It’s definitely a great honor. I’m just going to do my best to help the team out and do whatever the coaches tell me to do."

Stanwick, who registered career totals of 123 goals and 108 assists while leading the Dons to back-to-back Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association titles, said he was a little surprised when the Virginia coaching staff tabbed him to start with seniors Danny Glading and Garrett Billings.

"I really didn’t know what to expect," Stanwick said. "I did know that the left-handed side was open even though I’m not left-handed. I just kind of came in with an open mind. I thought I might play a little bit."

Watson (St. Paul’s), Gill (St. Paul’s), Ward and Rubeor (Loyola) all wrapped up their careers ranked in the school’s top eight in career points. Cavaliers coach Dom Starsia is quick to say that there are no similar expectations of Stanwick, but he likes what he has seen so far.

"If you want to be a real attackman, you have to turn the corner, and Steele Stanwick understands that," Starsia said. "He’s got good hands and good vision, but he’s also got a toughness that you might not discern just by talking to him."