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Give & Go: University Of Virginia's Ross LaBauex
Ross LaBauex, a key member of the University of Virginia's 2009 NCAA Division I championship team, spoke with Goal.com about the combine, the difference between the 2008 and 2009 teams, and the true satisfaction of going out a champion.
Jan 9, 2010 12:22:50 AM
Goal.com: What have you done to prepare for the combine?
Ross LaBauex: My preparation for the combine is to run everyday to maintain my fitness for the combine and get touches on the ball as many times as I can.
How will the first touch be after time off?
My first touch should be ok. Before the combine, I have tried to touch a ball as much as I can so that my touch isn't awful when I play and that it gets better as the week goes on.
Now that you have had time to reflect on the season and the Championship game, what thoughts do you have on the accomplishment?
My reflection on this season has been awesome. Being a senior, I couldn't ask for another way to end my college career. It means so much to me because I did it with a group of guys that have worked extremely hard and are going to be my lifetime friends. This is also very special because I was able to make my mark in the UVA soccer history books and the NCAA, and, whenever I return to visit, I will always remember that special year when we won a national championship.
The squad rattled off eleven matches in a row without being scored on and kept a clean sheet 12 out of 13, with the only goal being an own goal. What is your assessment of this feat?
It was a great accomplishment that set the tone for the season. We understood that we needed to be good on the defensive side of the ball because games are lost on things on the defensive side of the ball. It was a commitment we made and it was possibly because of our goalie and 4 defenders playing like it was there last game every game. I commend them for the dedication and the willingness to work for that common goal.
Looking back, 2008 was somewhat of a disappointment. Was there anything that changed from 2008 to 2009 that helped to fuel the championship run?
I think 2008 was a year to get our feet wet. We were very young and I think towards the end the younger guys began to get burnt out because they did not understand the demands on your body as the season goes on. We had a few key injuries that didn't allow us to reach our potential last year, but we also had a few new players step in this year with slim experience and play unbelievable for us. We wanted to make this a year to remember because this group we had this year had many ups and downs. We went from being 0-3 in preseason and scoring 1, beating every team either in overtime or by 1 goal, to eventually a team that was getting better every game and became a team that was in the running for a national championship.
Is there an advantage to heading down to the combine and already being familiar with several of the players from the ACC?
I think an advantage for me heading into this week is that I have gotten to play against some of the best players this year on a regular basis, so I understand what the level is going to be like this week, and I understand what I have to do in order to show well at this event.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Ross LaBauex: My preparation for the combine is to run everyday to maintain my fitness for the combine and get touches on the ball as many times as I can.
How will the first touch be after time off?
My first touch should be ok. Before the combine, I have tried to touch a ball as much as I can so that my touch isn't awful when I play and that it gets better as the week goes on.
Now that you have had time to reflect on the season and the Championship game, what thoughts do you have on the accomplishment?
My reflection on this season has been awesome. Being a senior, I couldn't ask for another way to end my college career. It means so much to me because I did it with a group of guys that have worked extremely hard and are going to be my lifetime friends. This is also very special because I was able to make my mark in the UVA soccer history books and the NCAA, and, whenever I return to visit, I will always remember that special year when we won a national championship.
The squad rattled off eleven matches in a row without being scored on and kept a clean sheet 12 out of 13, with the only goal being an own goal. What is your assessment of this feat?
It was a great accomplishment that set the tone for the season. We understood that we needed to be good on the defensive side of the ball because games are lost on things on the defensive side of the ball. It was a commitment we made and it was possibly because of our goalie and 4 defenders playing like it was there last game every game. I commend them for the dedication and the willingness to work for that common goal.
Looking back, 2008 was somewhat of a disappointment. Was there anything that changed from 2008 to 2009 that helped to fuel the championship run?
I think 2008 was a year to get our feet wet. We were very young and I think towards the end the younger guys began to get burnt out because they did not understand the demands on your body as the season goes on. We had a few key injuries that didn't allow us to reach our potential last year, but we also had a few new players step in this year with slim experience and play unbelievable for us. We wanted to make this a year to remember because this group we had this year had many ups and downs. We went from being 0-3 in preseason and scoring 1, beating every team either in overtime or by 1 goal, to eventually a team that was getting better every game and became a team that was in the running for a national championship.
Is there an advantage to heading down to the combine and already being familiar with several of the players from the ACC?
I think an advantage for me heading into this week is that I have gotten to play against some of the best players this year on a regular basis, so I understand what the level is going to be like this week, and I understand what I have to do in order to show well at this event.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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