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In this episode, we sit down with Roger Williams University goalie Aaron D'Aversa to unpack his full lacrosse journey, from a gear obsessed third grader to a confident college starter. Aaron talks about why he first fell in love with the position, why he briefly left it to play attack, and how that switch ended up becoming one of the most important ingredients in his development.

Aaron shares stories about youth lacrosse on Long Island, earning varsity time in seventh grade, and navigating the recruiting chaos of COVID before eventually finding the right home at Roger Williams. He goes deep into the technical parts of his game too including why he favors a lateral step, how he built elite clearing ability, and the drills he uses to stay patient, stay balanced, and stay big in the cage.

You’ll hear his approach to the mental game, how he resets when he’s flinching or in a slump, the routines he relies on before every game, and why being able to string your own stick and throw with both hands might be the most underrated advantage a goalie can have.

Whether you’re a young goalie building your foundation or a college player looking to sharpen the details, Aaron brings a ton of insight, honesty, and actionable advice in this interview.

Tune in and enjoy.

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Columbia College goalie Finn Landy joins the show to talk about his journey in the crease, from Raleigh youth lacrosse to South Carolina MCLA champ to NAIA starter and coach. Finn shares lessons on confidence, flow state, communication, clearing, film work, and developing young goalies. He also opens up about managing bipolar, staying even, and rediscovering joy in the game.

We dig into:

• How Finn first jumped into goal and never left
• Growing up around the UNC and Duke lacrosse scene
• Using film to read shooters and sharpen reactions
• Balancing reading the play vs reacting in the moment
• Why swagger matters for goalies
• Teaching confidence and communication to young keepers
• Staying present one play at a time
• Returning to college lacrosse and leading a first year program

Plus, the power of coaching to understand the game on a deeper level, and how to love playing the position again.

Follow Finn: @brickwallgoalieco

Final takeaway: Play with swagger.

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Seamus Skelly is a 2030 goalie who has been documenting his daily training journey for more than 3 months straight. 

In this episode we talk about how he got started in goal back in third grade, what helped him get over the fear of the ball, and how he manages the pressure that comes with the position. He shares lessons learned from his older brother who plays D3, from working with Adaptive Goaltending, and from posting his Day-by-Day training videos that have already caught the attention of college programs and pros online. We get into drills, protection, positive self talk, mental toughness, using tools like LaceUp, cross-training with soccer, favorite saves, favorite pros to watch, and advice he would give to brand new youth goalies. A really fun and insightful conversation with a young goalie who is putting the work in every single day.

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Dylan Renner joins the show to unpack his journey from a kid on Long Island getting “sold” into the crease, to LIU, to Adelphi national champion, and finally a mid-week call up to the Archers. 

We cover the early struggles, the coach who gave him his first mental tools, and the technical tweaks that changed his off-stick game. Dylan shares how he learned different leadership styles from the crease, why he warms up with a short stick, what “aim small, miss small” did for his consistency, and how he stayed calm in overtime of the national championship. 

We finish with his PLL experience, training ideas you can steal, and advice for young goalies navigating recruiting and development.

Topics:

• Getting recruited into the crease and falling in love with goalie
• Mental game lessons that stuck for life
• Stance changes, foot angle fixes, and throwing the body low
• Short-stick TNT warmups and precision training
• Leadership from the crease without being the loudest guy
• Overtime national championship mindset
• The 9:30 pm Archers phone call
• Advice for recruits and young goalies today

If you coach or play goalie, this episode is loaded with takeaways you can use the next time you step on the field.

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Special episode this week where we dig into off the field issues that can impact many goalies. 

In this special double-guest episode, we sit down with Caroline Potteiger and Rachel Costello to dive deep into one of the most important conversations in sports today: mental health for goalies.

As both athletes and creators of the upcoming documentary Unmasked, Caroline and Rachel share their personal journeys with anxiety, depression, and the unique pressures that come with standing in the net. From pregame nerves to panic attacks, they open up about the challenges goalies face, why the position can feel isolating, and the tools they’ve found to cope—like breathing, meditation, and leaning on community.

We also talk about their collaboration on Unmasked, set to release on October 10 - World Mental Health Day. The film features powerful stories, including insights from coaches, a licensed therapist, and JJ Martin, whose brother Robert’s story highlights the urgent need for these conversations.

Listeners will walk away with practical tips for managing goalie-specific stress, the importance of support systems, and how programs like Goalies Matter are creating a space where athletes can feel seen, heard, and understood.

Whether you’re a goalie, coach, parent, or simply care about athlete well-being, this episode is a must-listen.

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Stevenson University goalie Tyler Merchant joins the show to share how an eighth-grade “I’ll hop in” moment turned into a college career. 

We dig into the perfectionist/overthinker paradox, learning poise by studying goalies like Logan McNaney, and practical reset routines (yes, even the blink-and-wipe “hard drive” trick). Tyler walks through his Florida-to-boarding-school journey, a reclass year, committing to Catholic, transferring to Stevenson, and what D3 vs. D1 really feels like from the crease. 

We also hit leadership when your team turns over captains, staying locked in during quiet stretches, drills for feet and balance (walk your arc, tennis-ball footwork), stick talk (Eclipse III + ghost pocket), stringing heads, and using ADHD as a superpower for film and reps. He closes with advice to enjoy the grind—because you only get these four years once.

You’ll hear about:

• The ego check of first stepping in net—and why Tyler stuck with it
• Using perfectionism to fuel practice without choking performance
• Composure cues after goals and during momentum swings
• Recruiting, reclassing, and the transfer portal—what he’d tell HS goalies
• D3 competition level, depth, and the Mustang Classic thriller vs. St. Lawrence
• Footwork/balance drills, arc positioning from X, and communication habits
• ADHD, focus hacks, and building a repeatable game-day routine

Final takeaway: Enjoy it. Treat it like a job you love—and you’ll keep coming back better.

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Colorado sophomore goalie Elena Oh’s path to the net is anything but traditional.

Before lacrosse, she spent 12 years competing in jump rope, and she didn’t even start playing goalie until after her freshman year of high school. Just a year and a half later, she found herself committing to Colorado — her only offer — and now she’s making a name for herself in the Big 12.

Last season, the former Lax Goalie Rat summer intern was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, earned Goalkeeper of the Week four times in a row, and set a career high in her second appearance with a .667 save percent in her second appearance ever.

In this episode, Elena talks about her journey from picking up a stick late to becoming Colorado’s starter as a freshman. From a PVC goal in her basement to her first appearance in a game versus the then-reigning national champions, Oh shares how much she simply loves the game and how that love has carried her through the pressures of college lacrosse.

For her, it’s about playing for fun, playing for her teammates, and remembering the “why” behind it all. She dives into the mental side of goalkeeping too — how she resets after tough moments and keeps perspective in the net.

Elena also reflects on representing Team Korea at the U20 World Championships, an experience that deepened her appreciation for different cultures and for the opportunities lacrosse has given her.

While the Korean national team wasn't a high finisher, Oh reflected on playing with a language barrier and being a part of the movement to spread the sport. Whether it’s competing on an international stage or making her first collegiate appearance against Northwestern, Elena plays with gratitude, joy, and a mindset that keeps her grounded.

Great conversation with podcast editor and former intern Elena Oh, SKO BUFFS!

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Syracuse goalie Michael Ippoliti joins the show to share his incredible lacrosse journey—from growing up in Farmingdale, NY, to earning his spot with the Orange, and now representing Team Italy on the international stage.

We dive into:

• The moment he first stepped into the crease as a kid 🥍
• How playing multiple sports shaped his goalie game
• His unique style of baiting shooters and leading a defense
• Training and competing at Syracuse alongside elite goalies
• Scoring a goal and making history at the European Championships with Italy 🇮🇹
• Lessons for young goalies on recruiting, leadership, and trusting the process

Michael’s story is packed with passion, grit, and wisdom for players and coaches alike. Whether you’re chasing your dreams in the cage or just love the game, this episode will fire you up.

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In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Johns Hopkins goalie Oren Gelinas breaks down what it really takes to play at the highest level. From starting out in the crease as a kid, to earning starts for Hopkins, Oren shares the drills, routines, and mental game hacks that helped him level up.

You’ll hear how he:

• Uses visualization and self-talk to build confidence.
• Stays loose and patient instead of tensing up on shots.
• Trains his hands, feet, and reaction time with specific goalie drills.
• Deals with bad days, tough games, and bouncing back stronger.
• Creates flow state and plays with freedom instead of overthinking.

If you’re serious about becoming a better goalie, this episode is packed with tips you can try in your next practice or game.

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Join Coach Damon Wilson on this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast as he chats with Ray Carnicelli, the passionate voice of Jacksonville University lacrosse and a former standout goalie from Cortland St. (now SUNY Cortland) (Class of 1990). Dive into Ray's lacrosse origins in the early 1980s, from backyard games to his first formal gig in ninth grade, and how he honed his skills without today's online resources—relying on mentors, observation, and sheer passion.

Ray shares nostalgic tales of the sport's evolution: bucket helmets, muddy fields with unpredictable bounces, and the shift from "crazy guy or fat kid" goalies to today's athletic giants. Hear about his roundabout path to Cortland via junior college, backing up an All-American, and peaking post-college in Florida's competitive scene. As a broadcaster, Ray reveals his prep secrets—like detailed roster charts and high-energy calls—and why he celebrates saves from both sides.

Packed with goalie wisdom: tips for backups (trust coaches, lead off-field, master clearing), developing vocal communication, the "head, ball, pocket" mantra for focus, and drills like rapid-fire saves with a zip-tied stick. Ray emphasizes compartmentalizing life stresses, staying passionate, and having fun—or finding another position!

Whether you're a young goalie, coach, or fan, this episode blends storytelling, mindset advice, and broadcasting insights. Tune in for laughs, lessons, and lacrosse love. Subscribe and join the LAX Goalie Rat Academy at laxgoalierat.com/camp for more training gold!

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