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Sophomore forward/midfielder Ross LaBauex has moved into the starting lineup this season for the Cavaliers. The Chicago, Ill. native has three goals and three assists this season. He and the rest of the seventh-ranked Virginia men’s soccer team hosts ninth-ranked Boston College on Friday at Klckner Stadium.

Question: How has this year been different from last year?
LaBauex:
I’ve been playing more, but nothing’s really changed. I try to come out every day and perform to my best ability. First year was a transition period for me. I got my feet wet and got to see how everyone was. Everything’s been easier for me this year. When my number gets called, it’s time for me to perform.

Question: What is your current role on the team?
LaBauex:
I didn’t really play that much my first year, but now when I come in a game, I think that everyone is looking for me to come out and play with a good mentality and work rate. That’s what I try to do every game, just give it a lot of heart and help the team get a win.

Question: As a forward, what is it like playing alongside Yannick Reyering?
LaBauex:
Yannick is a good player. He’s been here a long time, and been through it all. It’s good playing with him, to have him on the field, and helping me out.

Question: Have you healed after your injury against North Carolina?
LaBauex:
Yes. Throughout the year, I’ve always kind of been that kid who throws his body in there. I went up for a header and got cut, so I had to get a few stitches. I’m all healed now, though, so it’s good.

Question: What has been the most exciting moment of this season so far?
LaBauex:
Definitely my first collegiate goal against St. John’s. I hadn’t really been in the game that much, but then coach called me, and I went in. Then in overtime, I got around a guy and scored. It’s funny because my parents were actually about to leave, since they were worried about missing their flight, but they decided to stay for a few more minutes, and that’s when I scored the goal. So it was really great that my family got to see my first collegiate goal.

Question: How will this home stretch of five games benefit the team?
LaBauex:
We really hope to rebound from the Clemson loss. We felt like we left there without accomplishing what we wanted. We obviously wanted to get a good win on the road. But now that we’ve got these five home games, we’re going to go out there and give it our all, and get more wins.

Question: Where do you see the team going this season?
LaBauex:
I definitely think that this team is capable of winning a national championship. We just need to stay humble and take it one game at a time.

Question: What do you personally hope to accomplish?
LaBauex:
Definitely to win a national championship. We came so close last year, and to lose they way that we did just makes me really want to get back to the Final Four and bring one home for Virginia.

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