As a little girl, Coco Stanwick always said she wanted to grow up to be president of the United States.
"I like to be in charge," said the Notre Dame Prep graduate with a laugh.
This week, Stanwick has been in charge of the offense for the most talent-laden lacrosse team she has ever played on - the U.S. team defending its Under-19 world championship at Towson University.
Stanwick, who was the playmaker for her final three years at NDP and holds the Blazers' all-time scoring record, emerged as a leader among leaders on the Under-19 team.
"On this team, 14 of 16 kids were captains of their high school teams," said Under-19 coach Wendy Kridel, "so for her to stick out beyond that is truly a tribute."
What makes Stanwick a standout on the field is her decision-making ability as much as her skill and scoring ability. Notre Dame Prep coach Mary Bartel said Stanwick was the most important player on the field, whether she scored or not.
As the U.S. team heads into today's 5 p.m. title match against Australia, Stanwick has accumulated 17 goals and 12 assists, ranking second on the U.S. team. Her three goals and four assists in the 24-1 romp over Scotland Monday earned her Player of the Match honors.
"She is the key player," Kridel said. "She controls the pace of what's going on out there. She had a little bit of a dry spell against Canada, but I told her, `It doesn't matter how many goals you score. You're quarterbacking the team.'"
With a cheerful, outgoing personality, Stanwick deftly directs traffic without stepping on toes.
Teammate Kristen Waagbo said players welcome Stanwick's leadership: "She's not timid; she's very vocal, and we need some of that. This is a quiet team. None of us is the kind to say, `Run the play for me.'"
A two-time All-Metro first-team selection and this spring's Baltimore City/County Player of the Year, Stanwick set a standard for both her high school and her family.
Her career 332 points at NDP topped the totals compiled by her sisters, Sheehan and Wick, who went on to become All-Americans at Georgetown.
Sheehan Stanwick said her younger sister may be the best player of the three.
"She can play all over the field. That just goes with her personality. She would do anything to make it work. Maybe part of that is being No. 3 and being part of a big family."
In a close family of eight children - all of whom play lacrosse - Stanwick remembers watching Sheehan and Wick play and wanting to be like them.
She developed the same style. Anyone who has watched her sisters can peg her as a Stanwick, because of the perpetual motion of her stick and the deceptive way she handles it.
"She keeps her stick behind her head, so she's covering the ball and not showing me her stick," said Scottish defender Charlotte Smith. "She's very quick. She's got good change of pace and change of direction."
As she began her college search, Stanwick first thought about striking out on her own. But she discovered that Georgetown fit her athletically and academically, so she will carry on the Stanwick legacy - something that doesn't bother her.
"No matter where I go, I'm going to be compared to them anyway," she said. "In a way, it's a blessing. My parents and family are so supportive. They've never made comparisons. We're each our own player. There definitely is a pressure, but it's just pressure from myself to ... do my best."
At Georgetown, Stanwick's interest in international affairs and government drew her to the school of foreign service. She thinks she might one day work in the State Department.
And she hasn't completely ruled out the White House.
