Ben Rubeor's problematic right knee will keep the Virginia senior attackman on the sideline when the No. 3 Cavaliers open the season against Drexel on Sunday, but the Towson native and Loyola High graduate vowed to return to the field sometime this season.
Rubeor, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist who registered 46 goals and 22 assists last year, has not practiced since aggravating a kneecap injury he suffered last spring.
Although Virginia coach Dom Starsia said Rubeor is at least a week away from returning to practice and that he will have to wear a brace, the 21-year-old, two-time All-Metro pick said redshirting is not an option.
"I'm going to be back," Rubeor said. "I feel pretty healthy right now. It's an issue that I'm pretty confident about. I'm going to be back and I'm going to be playing. I want to make sure that I'm perfectly healthy when I make that step."
Starsia agreed: "I don't think there's any doubt that he can play this spring. The question is at what level and with what level of confidence, and that's what we need to assess. I think Ben really wants to play and we of course would really want him to play.
"But if he doesn't have the confidence in that knee or doesn't get the strength back into that leg so that he can do the things that he feels like he can do, then we'll have to reassess where we are and what it is."
Rubeor said he is itching to play for the Cavaliers, who will attempt to avenge last spring's season-opening loss to Drexel. But he said he is thinking long-term.
"We're looking to win the last game of the season, not necessarily the first game of the season," he said. "This sport is measured in May. I'd rather be there in May than February."
Rubeor's absence is huge, but the Cavaliers' attack also features two potent juniors in Danny Glading (31 goals and 17 assists) and Garrett Billings (21, 22). Senior Ryan Kelly, junior Gavin Gill (St. Paul's) and freshman John Haldy will be in the mix.
Notre Dame adjusts
With sophomore attackman Will Yeatman serving an indefinite suspension and facing misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and criminal recklessness stemming from a Jan. 28 arrest, Notre Dame's first attack likely will involve junior Ryan Hoff (Dulaney), senior Alex Wharton (Gilman) and junior Duncan Swezey.
Fighting Irish coach Kevin Corrigan said the team also will lean on such players as sophomores Neal Hicks and Matt Ciambella to make contributions in Yeatman's absence.
No. 8 Notre Dame will visit No. 14 Loyola on Saturday at 1 p.m.
"One of the strengths of our team, we felt, was the depth that we have on attack," Corrigan said. "You go into the year with plans if you lose anybody because with injuries and everything else, you're eventually going to. Obviously, we'll miss Will for the time that he's gone, and we'll count on the other guys at that position to step up and fill the gap."
Captain from the bench
Georgetown's Matt McBride is still dealing with concussion-related symptoms stemming from an incident in last year's season opener against Maryland, and the senior attackman won't play this season. But that hasn't stopped the Hoyas from naming McBride one of four captains. "Even though he's not playing, he's been helping at practice with taking shots at the goalies and giving advice on faceoffs," Hoyas coach Dave Urick said. "It's a measure of the team's respect for him that they voted him as a captain."
edward.lee@baltsun.com