Spotlight: Dylan Ruberti, The Path Unexpectedly Taken

Dylan Ruberti has been the starting goalkeeper for the Worcester State University men’s soccer team five times thus far this season. In those games, the Lancers have picked up three of their five wins, and have tied the other two contests. Ruberti has saved 31 of the 35 shots faced, and has yet to allow more than one goal in any given game. Clearly the junior keeper is having himself a breakout season for the Lancers, and all because he was once looked over by another team.

Ruberti graduated from Westborough High School in 2020, and had his heart set on playing for another conference opponent. However, that coach informed him that he was not needed there, so Ruberti decided to come to Worcester State and walk on the men’s soccer team.

After a freshman fall of practices without intercollegiate competition due to the pandemic, Ruberti spent his sophomore year in a backup role. “Last year was a lot of trying to prove myself,” he explains. “Towards the end of the year the coaches told me that I was getting better but it just kind of came too late.” Determined to be good enough in time for this season, Ruberti put his head down and put in the work this off-season. Making an effort to work out and get to the field every day. Even if just by himself, the 6’0” keeper was grinding to become the best player he could be.

That work is most definitely paying off, as his undefeated record would reflect. Even in season, Ruberti and his fellow keepers are putting in the work, as they have frequent early morning sessions with the coach to focus strictly on goalie training. It’s not just Dylan’s work that is translating to on-field success, as he credits his defense and the team as a whole in having a hand in his success. “It makes me a lot more confident in how I play and how much more confident I am on the ball whenever I get it,” Ruberti claims.

As the season heats up, the keeper is quite confident as he believes “the whole team this year has a good chance of making it pretty far in the conference.” The squad is currently 2-0 in conference play, and they will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. as they play host to the Westfield State University Owls.

By Chris Wright