Brian Ruppel on Going Viral, Taking Over at Maryland & Thriving Under Pressure | Lax Goalie Rat Podcast

Freshman goalie Brian Ruppel has quickly become one of the biggest stories in college lacrosse.

After stepping into the starting role following Logan McNaney's injury, the Maryland netminder has played with poise well beyond his years—including a viral overtime sequence featuring three incredible saves that captivated the lacrosse world.

In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Brian shares what it was like watching that save sequence explode across social media, how he prepared as a backup knowing his opportunity could come at any moment, and why trusting your training is the key to performing under pressure.

Brian also dives into his journey from attackman to goalie, growing up as a lifelong Maryland fan, learning from elite goalie coaches like Brian Phipps and GoalieSmith, and the mindset that's helped him thrive as a freshman starting for one of college lacrosse's premier programs.

Whether you're a youth goalie, a high school player chasing your college dreams, or simply a fan of elite goalie play, this episode is packed with lessons on preparation, confidence, leadership, and mental toughness.

In This Episode

• Brian breaks down his viral three-save overtime sequence and what was actually going through his mind.

• What it's like waking up to hundreds of notifications after becoming an overnight sensation.

• Growing up in Catonsville, Maryland, and dreaming of one day wearing the Terps jersey.

• Why playing attack helped him become a better goalie.

• Learning the fundamentals from Brian Phipps and refining his game with GoalieSmith.

• The importance of soft hands, efficient movement, and "set and see."

• How facing elite shooters like Logan Wisnauskas accelerated his development.

• His recruiting journey during the COVID recruiting period.

• What Maryland goalie practices look like behind the scenes.

• Stepping into the starting lineup after Logan McNaney's injury.

• Lessons learned from Logan McNaney about composure and leadership.

• Why every backup goalie should prepare like they're the starter.

• His approach to overtime and staying calm in the biggest moments.

• Communication with defenders and growing into a leadership role as a freshman.

• The importance of clearing and stick skills for modern goalies.

• How he handles slumps with self-talk and a "next shot" mentality.

• Why trusting the process has become his guiding philosophy.

Key Takeaways

• Prepare every day as though your opportunity could come tomorrow.

• Great goalies develop confidence through consistent preparation—not game-day emotion.

• Playing other positions can improve your understanding of shooters and offensive tendencies.

• Efficient movement beats flashy movement at the highest levels.

• Leadership isn't always about being the loudest voice—it starts with communication and consistency.

• Every shot is independent. Forget the last save or goal and focus entirely on the next one.

• Trust the process. Growth comes from both success and setbacks.

Memorable Quotes

"They've got to beat me."

"Set and see."

"Blank mind. Next one."

"Whatever happened on the last rep has no impact on the next one."

"Trust your training. Trust the process."

Resources Mentioned

• Lax Goalie Rat Academy

• GoalieSmith

• Brian Phipps

• Logan McNaney

• Logan Wisnauskas

• Kyle Bernlohr

• Jack Kelly

• Brett Makar

• ECD Impact goalie head

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Looking to level up your game? Check out the Lax Goalie Rat Academy, featuring more than 140 hours of goalie-specific training covering technique, drills, stick skills, mental performance, lacrosse IQ, strength training, live coaching sessions, and more.

Train hard. Trust your training. Trust the process.