Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

A lot of adolescents choose professional athletes, politicians or perhaps people of industry as role models.
 
Victoria Benet didn't have to look far to find hers. It's the Rutgers-Newark women's soccer standout's father, Dr. Victor Benet, a Newark-based dentist.
 
"Ever since I was about three, I would go to the office with my father," Benet said. "Even when I was sick and couldn't go to school, I had to go with my father to the office because there was no one else to watch me. So I spent a lot of time with my Dad."
 
So it only made sense that Benet would want to follow in her father's footsteps and become a dentist herself.
 
"I always thought it was so exciting," Benet said. "I was always interested in the patient/doctor relationship. It was something I always wanted."
 
Benet is getting closer to her dream. After majoring in biology and earning a minor in chemistry, Benet will graduate next June with a grade point average of 3.87. And as her final soccer season continues, Benet is applying to dental schools and going through the interview process.
 
"I always wondered whether I could handle doing the school work and playing soccer, but there has been a smooth transition," said Benet, a resident of Lyndhurst and a graduate of Bergen County Tech, where she was a two-time All-North Jersey Interscholastic Conference honoree. "I thought I could play right away at Rutgers-Newark."
 
Benet chose Rutgers-Newark because she had familiarity with the school, since her older brother, Paul, attended the R-N.
 
"Rutgers is so diverse and it's so close to home," Benet said. "I loved going to Rutgers-Newark. It kept me open minded. I knew that I wasn't done playing soccer, so I wanted to play more. Rutgers-Newark gave me that opportunity."
 
Benet had to learn how to find time to play soccer and study, which wasn't easy.
 
"I knew I had to stay focused," Benet said. "I even made a schedule that I had to follow. I always had to find the time to do my school work. It was very important to me."
 
Ariana Ruela took over as the head coach of the Scarlet Raiders last year and led the team to a 15-win season with Benet as a featured member of the defensive corps.
 
"She's been a key player for us," Ruela said. "She started as a freshman at left back, played 90 minutes right away and continues in that position today. Her consistency has been huge for us. When you set up your back line, you need players who are consistent. She reads the game well and is accountable of what she does. She's a leader in the back, a captain."
 
Ruela likes Benet's playing style.
 
"She's strong and aggressive," Ruela said. "It's tough to get past her. I have to admit. I do rely on Tori a lot. It's nice to have a player like Tori stick around with us for four years and get the job done. She makes our job easier, knowing that she's there."
 
Ruela said that she appreciates Benet's personality.
 
"She comes across as being dead serious, but she has a witty side," Ruela said. "She's the type of person that you want to build your program around. She's committed. She's a team player."
 
Benet doesn't mind having the role of team captain and leader. In fact, she embraces it.
 
"I like the responsibility," Benet said. "There are times that I have to be the leader and I understand that. I will need that in my real life as well. I have to practice those skills now and I know I have to take advantage of my responsibilities with the team."
 
There is one down side to this story _ the Scarlet Raiders' record this season. After winning 15 games last year, the Scarlet Raiders are just 1-8-2 this season. From 15 wins to just one win has to be brutal for a seasoned player.
 
"It's been extremely tough," Benet said. "I'm trying my best. Especially since this is my last year playing soccer, I want to play with pride and not give up on myself and my team. I love being on the field. It's been a huge part of my life, so I don't want to end my soccer career any other way."
 
Benet scored her lone goal of the season in the Scarlet Raiders' win over St. Joseph's of Brooklyn, the lone win of the year.
 
Ruela knows that the year has been grueling.
 
"We've had a few hiccups this year," Ruela said. "I don't want the team to get down. Tori is doing her job to keep the team motivated and positive. She does her job, playing her heart out for 90 minutes, no matter who the opponent is."
 
Ruela believes that Benet is a role model for her team now and the program moving forward.
"She's managed her time well," Ruela said. "She's someone to admire and look up to. She's the type of person you want in your program and she's been very important to us. She's going to be missed."
 
Benet knows that she has about a month remaining in her soccer career.
 
"I appreciate playing soccer," Benet said. "I made the right choice to play and come to Rutgers-Newark. This year gave me a little more time for me to part with the sport. My ankles will finally say, 'Yay, it's over.' I can finally rest. Rutgers was a great choice because it shaped me as a human being and taught me about other things in life."
 
And as for her father?

"I know he's definitely very proud," Benet said.