cville-lax.com

Via UVA Sports Information

Men’s lacrosse coach Dom Starsia announces that attackman Ben Rubeor, defenseman Ricky Smith and midfielder Drew Thompson have been selected team captains for the 2007 season.

Rubeor, a junior from Towson, Md., enters his third season as a starter on the attack. One of the most dynamic offensive players in the country, he earned second-team All-America honors last season as the Cavaliers won the national championship with a 17-0 record. He finished second on the team behind Player of the Year Matt Ward in points (58) and assists (24), both career-high figures. He also notched 34 goals and led the team on eight occasions.

Smith, a senior from Hicksville, N.Y., has been one of the team’s most underrated performers throughout his career. A two-year starter on close defense, he will be looked to as a defensive leader this season. A slick stickhandler, he led ACC longsticks with 51 ground balls and was named a third-team All-American.

Thompson, a senior from Northport, N.Y., will be one of the top midfielders in the country this spring. He blossomed last season into an exceptional all-around player, playing offense, defense and taking face-offs. He tallied 23 assists, 17 goals and 40 points a year ago. He led the nation’s middies with 23 assists and was one of only seven to score at least 15 goals and add at least 15 assists last season. Thompson also snared 67 ground balls and won 57 percent of his faceoffs.

“I am very pleased to announce our captains for the coming 2007 season” said Starsia. “Effective leadership is an imperative component of success in college athletics. Ben, Ricky and Drew have been leaders in this program since early in their careers and have set a consistent example on and off the playing field. The team has made an inspired choice and I look forward to working closely with them as spring approaches. The 2006-2007 season has gotten off to a good start.”