Podcast
Lax Goalie Rat Podcast
Hosted by Coach Damon Wilson · EN
Welcome to the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast! Where each week Coach Damon features interviews, strategy, and advice for dominating our position - lacrosse goalie! Ever wonder what makes the top lacrosse goalies elite? Me too! So I decided to create a podcast to figure it out. Each week I interview an elite lax goalie, coach, or special guest to find the tools, tactics, drills, and mental mindsets that listeners can use.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
LGR 299: Riley Horoshko on Finding Fun in the Goal, Staying Ready, and Trusting the Process
2w ago00:38:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Riley Horoshko, Temple University’s starting goalie, recent graduate, and American Conference Goalie of the Year. Riley shares her lacrosse goalie journey, from stepping into the cage in fourth grade because it meant “less running,” to becoming a standout college goalie after spending much of her college career as a backup.We talk about the lessons Riley learned from playing multiple sports, why she did not start club lacrosse until late in high school, and how she navigated the recruiting process by focusing on schools she would love even without lacrosse. Riley also opens up about the mental side of being a goalie, including comparison, pressure, staying relaxed, and how not playing for several seasons helped her rediscover her love for the game.This conversation is packed with practical advice for goalies, especially taller goalies, backups waiting for their chance, and athletes who are trying to enjoy the game while still competing at a high level.In this episode, we talk about:How Riley first became a goalie in fourth gradeWhy volleyball helped her develop as a lacrosse goalieStarting club lacrosse late and still having a successful recruiting processChoosing a school you would love even without lacrosseWhat made Temple’s team culture so specialThe coaching concept of “repetition without repetition”Why taller goalies should use their size instead of shrinking in the cageHow Riley improved on low shotsGoalie drills she used at Temple and now uses while coachingWhat she learned from being a backup for most of her college careerHow not playing helped her rediscover the joy of lacrosseDealing with comparison as a goalieMental game strategies, including staying loose, box breathing, and keeping things funRiley’s approach to 8-meter shotsWhy her final advice to goalies is simple: find a way to make it funKey TakeawaysBeing a backup can still be a huge part of your growth. Riley spent much of her college career waiting for her chance, but she credits that time with helping her mature, support her teammates, and fall back in love with lacrosse.Goalies play better when they are relaxed. Riley emphasized that she played her best when she was having fun, talking to defenders, dancing a little, staying present, and not letting every shot feel heavy.Stop comparing and start redirecting your focus. For young goalies stuck comparing themselves to teammates or opponents, Riley’s advice is to look away, reset, talk to teammates, study the shooters, and put your attention somewhere useful.Use the tools you have. As a taller goalie, Riley learned to use her height, wingspan, and legs to her advantage, especially when teams tried to target her low.Keep the game simple when things feel hard. On tough days, Riley would focus on basic cues like tracking the top of the shooter’s stick and making the saves she knew she could make.Memorable Quote“Just find a way to make the sport fun and find a way to make yourself relaxed in the goal.”About Riley HoroshkoRiley Horoshko is a goalie from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and a recent graduate of Temple University. After stepping into goal in fourth grade, Riley went on to become Temple’s starting goalie and earn American Conference Goalie of the Year honors. She now coaches young goalies in the Lehigh Valley area.Final ThoughtsRiley’s story is a great reminder that every goalie’s path looks different. You do not need to be the earliest recruit, the biggest gear person, or the starter from day one to have a great career. Stay ready, support your teammates, keep learning, and most importantly, find ways to enjoy the game.Support the show
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LGR 298: Japan's Rising Goalie Star: Shun Ito
Jun 1700:43:48Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFrom Japan's national lacrosse team Shun Ito joins the podcast to discuss his lacrosse goalie journey. Shun recently had a PLL tryout and made the Whipsnakes for a few games which is an incredible journey for this international star. Enjoy this podcast where we talk about him learning the game and lacrosse in Japan. Support the show
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LGR 297: Richmond Goalie Connor Knight on Fundamentals, Patience, and the Counterclockwise Reset
May 1800:45:50Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailConnor Knight, starting goalie for the A10 Champion Richmond Spiders, joins the show for a deep dive into how he plays the position at the D1 level.In this episode:Connor's "never too high, never too low" mental approachThe counterclockwise crease walk and why it works as a resetPlaying goalie in a 10-man ride (rare topic, real reps)What he learned backing up Zach ViguTips for taller goalies (Connor is 6'4")Scouting Aidan O'Neil and Lucas Littlejohn ahead of the Lax Attack SummitHis current stick setup and what's working in seasonA great listen for any goalie working on the mental side of the position.Support the show
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LGR 296: Arsen Hanuschak’s Journey & the Rise of Minnesota Lacrosse
May 1200:59:47Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMinnesota goalie Arsen Hanschuck joins the show to talk about his path from Ukraine to the MCLA, learning the position largely on his own, and the small adjustments that have shaped his game.We get into his relaxed stance and why his hands sit closer together than most coaches teach, the mental prep routine he starts the night before games, and the "quiet feet" philosophy he uses inside the cage. Arsen also breaks down what MCLA lacrosse really looks like at the University of Minnesota — the travel schedule, the top programs in the country right now, and what it takes to land an at-large bid.Plus: how he approaches coaching young goalies (build them up before you tear them down), why he thinks every goalie should string their own stick — he walks through his Nemesis 3 / StringKing Grizzly 2X / ghost pocket setup — and the mindset that helps him climb out of slumps.A great listen for any goalie wrestling with the mental side of the position or eyeing club lacrosse in college.Support the show
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LGR 295: Eyes are the Anchor with Louisville Goalie Haley Richards
Apr 3000:41:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailLouisville goalie Hailey Richards joins the podcast to break down her journey from fifth-grade volunteer goalie in the East Bay to playing in the ACC. Hailey talks about training with Goldsmith Lacrosse growing up, working with Ted Glenn at Goalie Solutions throughout high school ("you're not human, you're a goalie"), and the mental game work she's done with Tim Cassie at Focus Lacrosse — including how saying "next play" with real confidence versus saying it half-heartedly completely changes the result.She gets into the recruiting advice she wishes she'd had (keep an open mind and prioritize multi-coach camps), the adjustments she had to make jumping into ACC speed as a freshman, and the rough first start against UNC that lit the fire under her. Hailey also shares the mantra her coach Daly and sports psychologist Lindsay Cash have her leaning on this season — "your eyes are the anchor" — and how she uses it to stay present when her mind starts drifting to the last shot or the next one.Plus: her 16-save double-OT performance against Ohio State, why little-Hailey check-ins help her get out of a slump, gear talk on the Gait setup with U's, and her final advice for goalies everywhere — have fun and trust yourself.Support the show
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LGR 294: Chaos Goalie Austin Kaut on Winning the PLL Championship Series, the Mental Game, and Thriving as a Backup
Apr 600:57:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailCarolina Chaos goalie Austin Kaut joins the podcast to break down his journey from scared youth attackman-turned-goalie to PLL champion. Austin talks about growing up training with legends like Brian Dougherty and Drew Adams, learning the "phlow system" at NetNation, and the footwork techniques that transformed his game at Penn State under Coach Tambroni — including why going over the top on off-stick hip saves changed everything. He gets into the details of the Championship Series run: how Carolina went from 0-2 to champions, his strategy of playing unorthodox sixes lacrosse (including switching to righty mid-game), and why limiting two-pointers was the key to the title. Austin also shares real talk on being a backup in the PLL, the mental game tools he uses to reset after goals, and pays tribute to his late Penn State teammate Connor Darcy. Plus: the Doc Drill, pregame juggling rituals, and why training outside of practice is the ultimate separator.Support the show
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LGR 293: Built for the Moment with Michigan Goalie Elizabeth Johnson
Mar 2300:41:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMichigan freshman goalie Elizabeth Johnson joins the show to talk about how getting pelted by her older brother's friends in street hockey turned her into a fearless shot-stopper. We get into her journey from Concord, New Hampshire to Ann Arbor — including the recruiting summer she calls one of the best experiences of her life, bonding with her dad on road trips to tournaments across the country.EJ breaks down the mental side of starting as a freshman in a D1 program, why she writes a list of affirmations before every game, and how repeating "I'm built for this" carried her through double overtime against BC. She shares what she's learned training with Goaliesmith and working one-on-one with grad assistant Erin O'Grady (aka Obi-Wan Kenobi), including the biggest adjustment to her college game — playing smarter angles and creating lateral momentum to get behind faster shots.We also get into baiting shooters, why she practices with her stick in the wrong hand just to test her explosion, the importance of building relationships with your defense off the field, and why she'll never take off the sweatpants in goal.Key Topics:Street hockey origin story with older brotherAffirmations and positive self-talk in gamesDouble OT mindset against BCAdjusting arcs and angles for the college gameTraining with GoaliesmithMentorship from Aaron O'Grady and Shay DolceBaiting techniques and practicing new skills pressure-freeRecruiting journey and why she chose MichiganBuilding trust with your defense through relationshipsSupport the show
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LGR 292 - From Hockey Goalie to D1 All-American: Le Moyne Goalie Luke Winger
Mar 600:49:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailLuke Winger started playing lacrosse goalie in eighth grade after a buddy lured him to practice with the promise of ice cream. Now he's an All-American at Le Moyne, competing at the Division I level after the program's transition from D2.In this episode, Luke breaks down how his ice hockey goalie background shaped his lacrosse game — from cutting down angles to staying patient in the crease. He talks about the conversations with his buddies back home that taught him to think like a shooter, why he had to slow his game way down when he got to college, and how he trains himself to stay relaxed under pressure instead of tensing up on step-downs.We also get into the backup goalie mentality and what it takes to earn your spot, his approach to film study (hint: it's less about shot tendencies and more about helping your defense), the clearing game as a goalie's second most important job, and why preparation for game day starts days in advance. Plus Luke shares advice for goalies dealing with first-start nerves and tips for players recruiting out of non-traditional lacrosse states like Illinois.Support the show
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LGR 291: Calm Mind and Competitive Edge with Princeton Goalie Ryan Croddick
Feb 2000:40:15Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailPrinceton starting goalie Ryan Croddick joins the show to talk about his winding path to the Ivy League — from being told not to bring his field stick anymore in youth lacrosse, to committing to Richmond, to getting a last-minute call from Princeton. Ryan shares how growing up playing hockey and battling his brothers in the backyard made him fearless in the cage, what he learned backing up Mike Gvozden for two years, and the pregame gratitude walk he does with teammates before every game. We also get into his juggling routine, how he uses baiting on late turns and from X, scouting shooters without overthinking it, working on hockey-style footwork behind the cage, and what Princeton is building as they chase a national championship this season.Support the show
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LGR 290 - Lucy Pearson on Athletic Goalkeeping, Stanford Culture & the Mental Game
Feb 900:54:53Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailStanford goalie Lucy Pearson shares her journey from accidentally discovering the position to playing D1 lacrosse. We dive into the mental side of handling goals, why being athletic beats being robotic in cage, and how she evolved her communication from frantic to confident. Lucy breaks down Stanford's process-over-results mentality, shares how she got out of a slump by remembering to have fun, and explains why positive reinforcement makes constructive criticism land better. Plus: the power of squash for hand-eye coordination, coaching insights from Goaliesmith, and why you can't tie your identity to your performance.Key Topics:Mental approach to giving up goalsAthletic vs robotic playing styleCommunication evolution (calm > frantic)Stanford's team cultureProcess over results mindsetBeing more set/settled in goalGetting out of slumpsBalancing identity and performanceSupport the show
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