Lax Goalie Rat Podcast: Blake Ulmer — Inside an Undefeated National Championship Season, Finding the Right Fit, and Building Goalie Confidence
Guest: Blake Ulmer
School: University of Tampa Spartans
Position: Goalie
Achievement: 2024 Division II National Champion, Division II Goalie of the Year
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with University of Tampa goalie Blake Ulmer to talk about his journey from a goalie family in Chicago to becoming a Division II national champion.
Blake shares what it was like growing up with a father who played goalie at Syracuse and a brother who also played goalie, how he transitioned from attack to the crease, and the unique challenges he faced early on — including learning to make saves before he could even see the ball clearly.
The conversation covers his recruiting journey, his decision to transfer from Syracuse to Tampa, the differences between Division I and Division II lacrosse, and the culture that helped Tampa go undefeated and win a national championship.
Blake also dives into goalie development, offseason training, studying film, overcoming slumps, building confidence, and why goalies need to embrace the “swagger” and emotional side of the position.
Topics Covered
Growing Up in a Goalie Family
- Blake’s first attempt at playing attack — and why he quickly realized it wasn’t for him
- Having a father who played goalie at Syracuse and a brother who also played goalie
- Learning the position through hours of shooting sessions with his dad
- How family expectations helped motivate him to pursue college lacrosse
Learning to See the Ball
- Blake’s hilarious story about struggling with contacts and playing goalie without being able to see clearly
- How adapting to that challenge may have helped him develop strong instincts later in his career
Blake’s Goalie Style
- Why he describes himself as a “hockey-style” goalie
- Using his body to attack shots and play aggressively
- Mixing high-arc and flat-arc positioning depending on the situation
- The importance of developing your own style instead of copying another goalie
Recruiting Lessons
- Blake’s recruiting journey and being a late bloomer
- The importance of taking your time before committing
- Why loving a program from afar doesn’t always mean it is the right fit
- Advice for young goalies navigating the recruiting process
Leaving Syracuse and Finding Tampa
- Why Blake decided to transfer after one semester at Syracuse
- The impact of environment, happiness, and overall fit
- How something as simple as sunshine and lifestyle can affect a player’s mental health
- Finding the right home at the University of Tampa
Division II Lacrosse vs Division I Lacrosse
- Why Blake believes Division II and Division III lacrosse deserves more respect
- The talent level across all three divisions
- The difference between elite players and overall depth
- Why many Division II players could compete at the Division I level
Winning a National Championship
- Tampa’s undefeated championship season
- How team chemistry and culture separated them from previous years
- Coach Clark’s leadership style and ability to manage a team
- The emotional moment of winning a championship
- The importance of believing you belong on the biggest stage
Goalie Development and Training
- Why Blake takes time away from shots early in the offseason
- Using resistance bands to improve explosiveness and movement patterns
- Identifying weaknesses through film study
- Fixing small tendencies instead of completely rebuilding your technique
- Working on his stick-side low save
Mental Game Lessons
- The importance of a “next shot” mentality
- Learning from mistakes without letting them spiral
- Breaking out of slumps by:
- Watching your best performances
- Getting into a positive headspace
- Doing things that bring confidence and energy
Bringing Swagger to the Goalie Position
- Why goalies should celebrate saves and embrace emotion
- How getting fired up after big saves helps Blake stay confident
- The importance of “mojo” in the position
- Why goalies deserve to have their moments just like offensive players
Key Takeaways
1. Find the right environment.
The best program is not always the biggest name. Blake’s story shows how important happiness, culture, and fit are in reaching your potential.
2. Small adjustments create big improvements.
At the college level, development is often about identifying small habits and making tiny corrections rather than rebuilding your entire game.
3. Confidence matters.
Goalies need to believe in themselves, embrace mistakes, and maintain the mindset that the next save is always coming.
4. Have fun and bring energy.
Blake emphasizes that the goalie position is unique — and adding personality, excitement, and swagger can help you play your best.
Favorite Quotes
“If it’s not the place that’s gonna make you happy, then that’s how it is.”
“At the end of the day, nothing matters except receive the ball and save the ball.”
“If you’re on it, if you’re in a good headspace, you’re playing your best lacrosse.”
“Just keep going. Goalie’s tough. Just be a beast.”
Resources Mentioned
- Lax Goalie Rat Podcast
- Goalie Summit — elite goalie coaching sessions from top coaches and players
- University of Tampa Spartans lacrosse program
Final Message from Blake
For young goalies trying to improve:
Keep pushing. Stay confident. Believe in yourself. Keep going even when things get difficult.
That mindset helped Blake Ulmer go from a young goalie struggling to see the ball to a Division II national champion and Goalie of the Year.
Listen to the episode to hear Blake’s full story, including his recruiting journey, championship run, goalie training approach, and the mindset that helped him reach the top of Division II lacrosse.
