A junior co-captain, Rubin has been leading the attack for the Phoenix girls’ lacrosse squad this season, with 29 goals, 34 assists, 18 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers and 36 draws in 12 games (as of May 4). Friends’ Central girls’ lacrosse head coach Lauren Becker Rubin said, “With three starters on the sidelines, she has had to play a huge role not just in the attack, but also in midfield transition, and at times as part of the defensive unit.’ The FCS junior missed most of last season with an ankle injury, and has had several physical setbacks during the past year, including a concussion.
Main Line Media News: You’re scoring at a prolific clip so far this season. What do you think has been the biggest key to your success in this area?
Jesse Rubin: I think the biggest component of scoring for me is remembering to trust my shot. I have definitely been scoring more this season than I did in previous years, and I think the difference between now and before is entirely mental. In past years, I would often decide not to shoot, even if I had a decent opportunity. This year, I have been shooting a lot more in general, and because of that I have been scoring a lot more. I think it was Wayne Gretzky who said, “You miss 100 perecnt of the shots you don’t take.’ I think that quote sums up my recent shooting mentality pretty well.
Main Line Media News: What (to you) has been your most memorable scoring play this season? Can you describe the unfolding of the play, and your role in it?
Jesse Rubin: My most memorable scoring play so far this season would definitely have to be in our first game of the year against Springside Chestnut Hill. We had battled with them the whole game, and the score was tied after regulation – my teammate Lorna MacFarlane scored the goal that sent us into overtime with less than one second on the clock. The game went to triple overtime, and after three huge plays by our defense, I found myself with the ball with about 20 seconds left. I ran the ball behind the cage, and I ended up taking my defender one-on-one and rolling the crease. I shot to the bottom right corner, and scored with about four seconds left to end the game with a sudden death victory. The whole team worked so hard that entire game, and I’m so glad that I was able to contribute in that way to our first win of the season.
Main Line Media News: You came back from an ankle injury that sidelined you for much of last season, and you also suffered a concussion. Can you briefly describe your rehab? What was the biggest challenge you faced in your rehab?
Jesse Rubin: The injuries that I’ve faced this past year have been very frustrating. I spent all of last spring and summer doing physical therapy for my ankle, and the biggest challenge I faced was definitely staying positive throughout the process. It was very hard for me to have to sit on the sideline for so long, but being back on the field is so great. I think that what the last year has taught me is to make the most out of the time I have on the field. I think I am more appreciative of playing time, and I try to make the biggest impact on a game that I can.
Main Line Media News: You’ve handled many draw controls this season. What (to you) is the biggest key to a successful draw control?
Jesse Rubin: For me, there are a lot of technical aspects of lining up on the draw or on the circle that help me a lot. However, I think that what it comes down to is being hungry for the ball. Draw controls are often the most physical part of the game, so being aggressive and willing to come out with a few bruises is part of the job.
Main Line Media News: What uniform number do you wear for Friends’ Central? Was there a reason you chose this number – does this number have any significance to you?
Jesse Rubin: I wear No. 35 this year, but honestly, I just took it because it was the uniform on the top of the pile in the equipment room. My lucky number has always been No. 13, but I’m not the type of person who absolutely has to have a certain number. I think I’ve worn a different number for each team I’ve ever been on!
Main Line Media News: What do you think is the best part of your game, and what are you working on most currently?
Jesse Rubin: I think the best part of my game is my field vision. I have always been the type of player who has more assists than goals. Being able to see all my options and thread a pass to a teammate who can put the ball away is one of the most satisfying feelings in lacrosse. Recently, I’ve been working a lot on my shot placement. When I can, I get out onto the field before practice starts and get shooting reps in.
Main Line Media News: You’re also causing a lot of opponents’ turnovers this season. What (to you) has been the biggest key to your success in this area?
Jesse Rubin: I think that defense is always a team effort. Our defensive unit this year is very strong, and as a group we have caused a lot of turnovers by working together and being aggressive.
Main Line Media News: As a junior, leading scorer and co-captain, how do you see your leadership role on this year’s team?
Jesse Rubin: I definitely have a bigger leadership role this year than I’ve had in the past. We graduated a strong class of seniors last year, so for me this year has been all about stepping into the role that they left. I think I play a big role in quarterbacking our offense this season, which is new for me. Sophie MacFarlane and Lisa Bernstein are the other two captains, and I think we each have different leadership styles that compliment each other well.
Main Line Media News: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
Jesse Rubin: My biggest lacrosse mentor is undoubtedly my coach, Lauren Becker Rubin (she also happens to be my mom). She has been my lacrosse coach since second grade (and my life coach since birth), and she has taught me more about the game and about life in general than I can possibly describe. The mantra that she preaches to the team is Attitude, Effort, Pride. We have that slogan on all of our shirts, and it is something that inspires me to be my best every day.
Main Line Media News: What (to you) has been the highlight of your lacrosse career at Friends’ Central? Briefly describe your most vivid memory of it. What (to you) has been the highlight of your career outside of Friends’ Central?
Jesse Rubin: The two highlights are actually both from my lacrosse career at FCS. The first was when we won the Friends League my freshman year. We beat GFS in the championship game, which was especially satisfying because we have developed a pretty intense rivalry with them over the years. I know I had a few goals that game, one of which was in the final minutes of play. I remember the final whistle blowing and the entire team rushing to the middle of the field in celebration. The other highlight was last season, when we won the PAISSA state tournament. Even though I wasn’t playing because I was injured, that was a huge accomplishment for our team. We were definitely the underdog, which made it even more exciting when we won.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite school subject(s)? What do you think you might like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
Jesse Rubin: My favorite subject in school is Literature, so I might want to major in something writing-related. I’m not 100 percent sure, and I really don’t know what I want to pursue as a career.
Main Line Media News: Are you involved with any other extracurricular activities at Friends’ Central other than lacrosse? What originally sparked your interest in these activities?
Jesse Rubin: I also play soccer both in and out of school, I am the co-president of Service Committee, I am a Peer Mentor to a homeroom of ninth graders, I am a tutor in our Writing Lab, I am a member of the Student Admissions Committee, and I joined Rubik’s Cube Club just this year (now I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 52 seconds!).
Jesse Rubin’s top picks
Book: The Harry Potter Series.
Author: J.K. Rowling.
TV show: How I Met Your Mother.
Movie: She’s the Man.
Pre-game pump-up song: 300 Violin Orchestra, by Jorge Quintero.
Athlete: Bethany Hamilton.
Person I admire most: “I really admire Katie Samson, who started the Katie Samson Foundation and runs the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival each year at Radnor High School. Katie visited one of our practices last season and spoke to the team about her life and experiences. She told us that, ‘ It’s not about what happens, it’s about what you do with what happens.’ That quote has really stuck with me, and I admire everything she does and stands for. She is such an amazing person, and I am so inspired by her outlook on life.’
Team: The US Women’s National Team (soccer).
Place to visit: “My grandparents have a house on Long Beach Island (on the Jersey shore) that I love to visit over the summer.’
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
