WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2 | 1 p.m. WHERE: Reeves Field | Washington, D.C. FOLLOW:Live StatsTHE OPPONENT: American Series: American leads, 30-13-2 Last Time: Aug. 27, 2018; 6-0 W
In the quiet of the GW men's soccer locker room, Noah Lubin finds peace.
Last spring, the senior goalkeeper added a meditation session to his pre-practice routine at the suggestion of his father Matthew, a doctor who has used the technique before his hospital shifts.
Most of the time, Lubin's hectic schedule as an ultra-involved neuroscience major keeps his mind plenty busy. With such an ambitious to-do list, there are assignments to complete and deadlines to meet with more always looming on the horizon.
In those moments before the rest of the Colonials arrive, Lubin is able to cut through the noise. He finds a comfy seat on the floor, closes his eyes and repeats the word "ong" in his head until he reaches delightful solitude.
"You really do get focused," Lubin said. "Just laser-sharp focused."
Lubin credits the mindfulness exercise with helping him unlock his potential on the field while he continues to maintain his impressive balance off of it.
Lubin, who joined the squad in the spring of 2017 after a semester with the club team, is eager to make the most of his opportunity following the graduation of decorated goalkeeper Thor Arne Höfs. The New York native gained valuable experience in net on GW's unbeaten run last spring and backed up that performance with a strong preseason.
Beyond his commitment to the Colonials, Lubin is an aspiring doctor who has helped pioneer his major in GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. He's worked the past three years in a research lab on campus and taken on shifts as a volunteer EMT at a local fire department.
In addition, Lubin is an active member of GW's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee who found time last spring to host the department's annual Georgey Awards. He's previously served on the executive board for both the GW Dance Marathon and GW Hillel, as well.
Beyond meditation, there's no real secret, he says, except the desire to make it all work.
"I really have no idea," Lubin said with a smile. "I don't know if there's something special about me. I just do it. Whatever it is, I'll find the time to do it." Lubin (far left) served as host of the Georgey Awards last May.
Lubin had lofty goals and an incredibly full plate even before he joined the Colonials.
The son of a doctor and a lawyer, Lubin wrote his college admission essay about his fascination with the human brain and the prospects for studying it.
"It's this big mystery that we know relatively little about compared to everything else in the body," Lubin said.
At the time, GW didn't have a neuroscience major, so Lubin worked with Associate Professor of Biology Damien O'Halloran to create a customized plan, which ended up serving as a model for the adoption of the major.
Lubin officially switched into the new major last school year and is set to be among the first group to graduate from the program next May.
"Noah's academic and research achievements are a testament to his intellect, maturity, and commitment to science," O'Halloran said. "The fact that he has done so much academically while balancing his collegiate soccer schedule at GW makes it all the more impressive."
Along the way, Lubin has been a fixture in Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia's lab as part of the study of DiGeorge Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that results in cognitive development and physical defects.
It's understandably complex work, but in essence, they're studying mice to understand brain development with Lubin's current efforts focused on a gene called TXNRD2.
Even during the soccer season, Lubin does his best to spend at least five hours per week there. LaMantia said he's become a valuable member of that team, as well.
"Noah is really at ease being part of the culture of the lab – another team, one might hypothesize," said LaMantia, who serves as director of the GW Institute for Neuroscience. "I think that might be what a scholar-athlete can gain from the athlete part of his or her experience, that ability to be part of a team to accomplish goals beyond the playing field." Lubin's research focuses on DiGeorge Syndrome.
For Lubin, soccer has always provided somewhat of an escape, yet he's worked just as diligently on the field to earn his opportunity.
GW didn't have room for another goalie on its roster during Lubin's first fall on campus, but he joined the Colonials the following spring.
Yes, playing varsity soccer meant adding another serious time commitment to his already jammed schedule, but there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted the challenge. He was standing in Funger Hall after a class just before winter break in 2016 when assistant coach Jake Ouimet called to offer the opportunity.
"I just remember I was so excited," Lubin said. "Being a D-I student-athlete was a dream come true for me."
For two-plus seasons, Lubin's contributions were all behind the scenes, yet he found ways to make his mark, such as leading the group's efforts to get involved with the GW Dance Marathon last spring and raise nearly $3,000 for the Children's National Medical Center.
Even on a roster filled with high achievers, Lubin's wide-ranging commitment to excellence stands out.
"It's a lot of stuff," senior captain Colin Anderson said with a shake of his head. "I don't know how he does it sometimes."
Höfs' graduation has opened up a chance for Lubin to help the Colonials on the field.
The netminder took advantage of his opportunity in the spring, posting a shutout in his first start and carrying the momentum through a five-game schedule.
"It's all about confidence," said assistant coach Manbi Nyepon, who works with the goalkeepers. "He started thinking 'You know what? I can do this,' and he just kept playing better and better."
Head coach Craig Jones was impressed but hardly surprised.
"Whenever he sets his mind to something, he does it very, very well," Jones said. Lubin put together a strong spring in net for the Colonials.
The starting job was on Lubin's mind over the summer when he took on a schedule that was grueling, even by his standards.
Lubin started each weekday with a 7 a.m. workout under the direction of assistant strength and conditioning coach Chaz Berry and then headed to LaMantia's lab for an eight-hour shift before finishing the night in the library with a couple hours of studying for the MCAT exam.
Throughout June, he added in practices and games playing locally with DC Stoddert on the U-23 Club Champions League circuit.
He said the soccer training helped him get through the grind as he prepared for the eight-hour MCAT exam, which he completed on Aug. 2.
"Even though I have all these things I'm doing academically, soccer is such a huge identity of mine," Lubin said. "I think a lot of it is it helps me de-stress from all these things that I'm doing and maybe take a step back."
During one of those marathon summer days, Lubin crafted a lengthy text message to his fellow seniors. He explained he was pushing himself so hard because he believed they could do something special in the fall.
"From everything that I've seen, the pieces are all there," Lubin told them. "It's just about us making the perfect season come true."
These days, Lubin visualizes what that will look like in the quiet moments before practice. The goal-oriented goalkeeper closes his eyes, breathes deep and lets his mind wander.
