Rubeor, Cavs Make Most of 2nd Chance
After Being Stripped on First Possession of OT, Senior Atones With Goal to Oust Maryland: Virginia 8, Maryland 7
TOOLBOX   Resize
 Save/Share +
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
|
Sunday, May 18, 2008; Page D03
The Maryland lacrosse team escaped unscathed the first time Virginia senior attackman Ben Rubeor had the ball in sudden-death overtime in an NCAA men's lacrosse tournament quarterfinal yesterday in Annapolis. The Terrapins were not as fortunate the second time.
Rubeor scored the winning goal on a bounce shot with 31 seconds left in overtime to lead the Cavaliers to an 8-7 victory before 17,017 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. It was a record crowd for an NCAA quarterfinal.
With the victory, the second-seeded Cavaliers (14-3) advanced to a national semifinal Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.
Virginia freshman Garret Ince won the opening faceoff in overtime. Following a timeout, the ball went to Rubeor. But the Cavaliers lost possession after Rubeor was stripped by Maryland shortstick defender Bryn Holmes, a sophomore. The Terrapins (10-6) moved into their offensive end and called timeout with 3 minutes 16 seconds left.
In Maryland's huddle, Coach Dave Cottle decided to insert his extra-man offense. And he called the same play that had worked for a point-blank shot by freshman Travis Reed with 5:25 to play; Reed was open on the play, but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced away.
Meantime, Virginia Coach Dom Starsia's message was more simple.
"As we broke the huddle," Starsia said, "I said, 'Let's give Ben another chance with the ball.' "
Following a restart, he passed to freshman Brett Weiss on the crease; Weiss was surrounded by players and a loose ball ensued. Virginia sophomore Max Pomper emerged with it and the Cavaliers had another chance.
The Cavaliers ran the same play for Rubeor as on the first possession. Holmes briefly went to defend Rubeor again but stopped short. Meantime, Rubeor's primary defender, senior Ryne Adolph, had stopped in the mistaken belief that Holmes would guard Rubeor.
A split second and some open space were all Rubeor needed to score the winning goal past junior goalkeeper Jason Carter.
"I was stripped by the shortpole the first time, but we kind of liked that matchup," Rubeor said. "I came off the pick and they switched at first, but the shortpole didn't stay on me."
Said Cottle: "We were just a little impatient and kind of chucked it away. . . . Give [Virginia] credit: They took that away."
