Virginia to Face Duke in the Title Match of the 2008 ACC Men's Lacrosse Championship
Cavaliers held off Maryland for 11-8 win in the semifinal round.



April 25, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Senior attackman Ben Rubeor led the third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers to an 11-8 victory over No. 8 Maryland Friday night at Klockner Stadium in the semifinals of the 2008 ACC Men's Lacrosse Championship. The Cavs advance to face top-seeded Duke on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

"I really think that this was our best effort of the season," said Virginia head coach Dom Starsia. "This was a really important game for us tonight. We had a much better start against Maryland this time and seemed to dominate the groundball play."

Virginia, sparked by an energetic home crowd of 3,507, jumped to a first half lead of 6-3, led by junior attackman Garrett Billings, who posted all four of his goals in the game in the first stanza. Billings gave the Cavaliers a quick 2-0 lead as the Langley, BC, native earned his first goal of the night at 13:48 on the clock. The goal was assisted by Danny Glading, who finished with two assists and three ground balls in the contest.

Maryland freshman Ryan Young put the Terps on the boards with an unassisted goal at 9:01. The two squads then went back and forth to conclude the first period. Senior Ben Rubeor gave the home team a 3-1 tally with an unassisted goal at 5:36; yet following a slashing penalty on Rubeor, Terrapin rookie Grant Catalino earned a man-up goal.

Senior Max Ritz of Maryland, assisted by freshman attacker Travis Reed, opened the second period with a Terrapin goal just 34 seconds into the period; however, Virginia controlled the momentum going into the break, notching three in a row before heading to the lockerrooms.

Billings again posted two back-to-back goals at 13:29 and 9:29, respectively in the second period, while senior midfielder Jack Riley closed out the half with a goal at 7:57 on the clock.

Maryland kept Virginia fighting in the third stanza as the Terps and Cavs recorded three goals apiece. Virginia freshman Shamel Bratton tallied two goals, while the Tewaaraton award candidate Rubeor added another goal for the Cavs and has now scored at least one goal in 29 of his last 30 games. Rubeor finished the game with a game-high four goals.

Bryn Holmes, along with Ritz and Catalino, helped the Cavs bring the score to a 9-6 advantage.

Rubeor scored his third goal of the game less than a minute into the fourth to give the Wahoos a 10-6 lead. The senior tacked on his fourth with an empty-net goal when Maryland goalie Brian Phipps, who took over for starter Jason Carter, left the crease to double-team the ball and try to force a turnover.

Without giving up, Maryland junior Dan Groot scored off an assist by freshman Tony Mendes. The Terps won the ensuing face-off and Jeff Reynolds scored on a high-bouncer to trim the lead back to three at the final 11-8 with 1:14 remaining.

In the cage for Virginia was senior Bud Petit, who made eight saves in all 60 minutes of action. Carter made eight stops for Maryland as well.

Virginia, which has won five ACC Championship titles in program history, outshot the Terps 41-34 and held the team groundball advantage 39-34.

The 2008 ACC Men's Lacrosse Championship will resume action Sunday, April 27 with the Championship contest between top seed Duke and third-seed and host Virginia at 3:30 p.m. at UVa's Klockner Stadium.