For Anthony Stavrakis, the key to success as a goaltender comes down to the three C’s.
That is, being consistent, calm and composed.
“My greatest strength as a player is my ability to be consistent in cage,” said the 2014 standout at Hillsborough High Schoool (N.J.). “I think that I stay calm and composed in between the pipes, which allows me to not lose my head, and stay consistent game in and game out.”
Those attributes have created an opportunity to play at one of the nation’s top Division III programs. Stavrakis verballed to Salisbury College, a commitment first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The 6-foot, 205-pound Stavrakis, a lefty, is a strong position goalie with ideal size. He’s also a varsity football standout at Hillsborough at running back and inside linebacker. You can watch his lacrosse highlight reel here.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Anthony on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
I wanted to go to a school that had strong academics and offered me the best chance of academic success. When I went on my visit, I knew that Salisbury was the perfect fit for me as a student-athlete.
Also, (Salisbury Head) Coach (Jim) Berkman challenged me, and knowing my competitive personality offered me a unique opportunity as a player that I knew I couldn’t turn down. Lastly, as a kid I always dreamt of competing and winning a national championship and I know Salisbury will allow me to make this dream a reality.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I visited and considered Ohio State, Highpoint, Sacred Heart, Cortland and Stevens. All of these coaches were great to me, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity they gave me.
How would you describe your style of play?
Very up tempo. I feel that I always play with high energy and when I get in trouble I can use my feet to make a play.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
This offseason I will be working on being more patient in the clearing game. With hard work and practice, I expect this not to be an issue in the future.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse?
I got introduced to lacrosse through my mom. She couldn’t stand watching baseball, and thought lacrosse would be something I would really enjoy.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play with Leading Edge and this program has really opened up doors for me. We competed in NSCLA, Crab City Challenge, Best of the Best Long Island and Jersey Shootout.
Any final thoughts?
I want to first thank my friends and family; especially my parents. Without my mom and dads support, none of what Ive done up to this point in my life would be possible.
Secondly, I want to thank my high school coach, Mark Wilson. This man has been like a second father to me. Coach Wilson has always been there for me as a mentor and a coach and always knows what to say to get the best out of me. He has really been a great role model for me growing up, and I cant thank him enough for making me a great lacrosse player, but an even better person.
Lastly, I would like to thank Mark Moreau, and Chris Roy and Tim Roy. The Leading Edge program has really opened a lot of doors for me, and I’m very thankful for them helping me throughout my seven years in the program.
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Posted In: New Jersey lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown