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Fourth-year attack Ben Rubeor is one of the leading candidates for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the nation’s outstanding player. A two-time team captain, he has helped lead the Cavaliers to an 8-0 record and a No. 2 ranking this season. He scored four goals in the rain against VMI earlier this month to become only the 10th player in school history to score 100 in a career; he now has 111.
Saturday the Cavaliers host sixth-ranked Johns Hopkins at Klckner Stadium at 4 pm. The Blue Jays are 3-2 overall this season and have lost their last two, both in overtime.
Between them the two schools have won the last three national championships.
Rubeor talks about his season, the Johns Hopkins game and a little bit about his future plans.
Q: You trained hard to prepare for your final season and then you injured your knee early in practice. How frustrating was that to you?
A: The thing about injuries is that you’re never expecting them. I did put a lot of time into (preparing for the season), but at the same time it’s something that as an athlete you just have to roll with it, you just have to deal with. It was frustrating especially because I didn’t really have a time frame (for a return). I didn’t know (at the time) if I would be back this season, but it worked out in the end.
Q: Do you feel like you are getting better?
A: I feel like the more I play on it, the more comfortable I get. The treatment (I receive) is definitely helping it feel better.
Q: You have put together a string of some pretty good performances recently with 12 goals in the last four games. How would you assess your play since your return?
A: I think personally, I’ve played pretty well, but it’s been sloppy; it hasn’t been mistake free by any means. I think part of that is that I missed the preseason, but I have to take responsibility and improve on that.
I think our offense creates a lot of opportunities, and I think a lot of us are getting a good amount of shots and when you’re doing that you’re bound to score a decent amount.
Q: While you missed the first three games, Peter Lamade moved from the midfield to attack. But now that you are back he’s gone back to his normal spot in the midfield. What has his addition meant to the team?
A: Peter is obviously one of the most talented midfielders in the country. As a fifth-year player he has a calm presence out on the field that helps us, especially with a freshman and sophomore playing on the first midfield line with him. It helps to have a guy that’s relaxed out there, but at the same time knows what it takes to get it done.
Q: Lamade isn’t the only new face in the midfield. Freshmen Rhamel and Shamel Bratton are playing a lot, Brian Carroll is having a big year so far and Jack Riley is playing well, too. How important is it to the attack to have a midfield that teams have to respect?
A: We saw last year how important the midfield was. That’s not to say anything bad about last year’s midfield, but the step up in guys that are producing opportunities that are creating offense from the midfield, we were doing it more from the attack last year and this year we’re doing it more from the midfield. Our team’s offense relies on our midfielders creating the offense and creating double teams. This midfield has done a great job and makes our lives on the attack much easier when they can create that offense.
Q: Saturday’s game against Johns Hopkins features the teams that have won the last three national championship. It’s a game that seems to frequently be more of a low-scoring contest. What do you see as things that it will take for your team to be successful?
A: (First) it starts with trying to win the battle of controlling the pace of the game. They’ve shown this year that they’re willing to play at a little more high tempo, which is what we would like to do. (In addition), I think it comes down to 1) our defense, and especially our defense midfield, trying to control their midfield. They have a bunch of talented middies that really do initiate their offense. I think if we can stop them and create some turnovers and fastbreak opportunities, and at the other end finish the ball, then I think we have a good chance (to win).
Q: A big crowd is expected for Saturday’s game. What kind of an impact can a high-energy crowd make on the team?
A: Charlottesville in the springtime is not only one of the nicest places to play, but also one of the most difficult. We’ve always had great fan support and teams draw on that. We’re all hoping we get a nice day (because) we do draw on the fans for energy.
Q: You received the Gray/Carrington Award last year, one of the highest honors a UVa student can receive. How satisfying is it to be recognized for your non-athletic pursuits?
A: What I really liked about it was that the process honored two guys by their friendsit’s their friends that are on the committee. They really do a good job of making sure that they get to know you. The meet you and actually talk to you and get a better sense of you as a person. It’s been very neat being involved with it. I was lucky enough to be on the nominating committee this year. It’s not a one-shot deal; they like to keep you involved each year and that’s been rewarding for me.
Q: Many lacrosse players take jobs working on Wall Street following graduation, but you have a different opportunity next year. What are you planning to do?
A: Next year I will be pursuing a master’s degree in finance in the McIntire School of Commerce. I’m looking forward to having a fifth year to work with the (lacrosse) team some, but also having some time as a normal college student. The program is very good, especially for someone like me that was an English major and is looking to go into the business world to make that transition.