LGR 195: The Most Important Things to Consider During the Recruiting Process with 2025 Goalie Bailey Terry

In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with Bailey Terry, a 2025 goalie from Rockville, Maryland, and member of HoCo Girls Lacrosse.

Bailey shares her journey from volunteering to play goalie as a third grader to becoming a college-recruitable netminder. Along the way, she discusses learning from some of the best goalies in the game, navigating the recruiting process, building confidence through adversity, and why the mental side of goaltending is just as important as making saves.

Whether you're a youth goalie, high school player, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with practical advice on developing your game both physically and mentally.

In This Episode

• How Bailey first discovered her love for playing goalie
• When she decided to become a full-time goalie
• Why studying elite goalies like Megan Taylor, Taylor Moreno, and Emily Sterling accelerated her development
• The advantages of being an undersized goalie
• Bringing energy and leadership to the crease
• Bailey's pregame routine to get game-ready
• How playing field hockey goalie improved her lacrosse game
• Building chemistry and communication with a brand-new defense
• Developing a "goldfish memory" after giving up goals
• Why understanding why a technique works makes learning easier
• Favorite goalie drills for mobility, flexibility, and quick feet
• Using film study to break out of performance slumps
• Navigating the college recruiting process
• Finding the right college fit instead of chasing the biggest name
• Why having a dedicated goalie coach has made such a difference in her development
• How to handle conflicting advice while developing your own style
• Bailey's biggest lesson: mastering the mental game

Favorite Quotes

"I don't have to prove that I'm a good goalie. I'll just play my game."

"Take what you need to take away from a play, but also know when to forget what you need to forget."

"This is just a slump. I'm not a bad goalie—I just didn't have a great game."

"The mental game is just as important as your technique."

Key Takeaways

• Every goalie develops at their own pace—there's no perfect age to specialize.
• Study great goalies and learn the reasoning behind their techniques.
• Confidence comes from preparation, not perfection.
• Communication and positive energy can elevate an entire defense.
• Film study is one of the fastest ways to identify and fix weaknesses.
• Great goalies learn from mistakes without carrying them into the next play.
• Find coaches who understand the goalie position and help explain the "why."
• The best recruiting decisions come from finding the right overall fit, both academically and athletically.

If you're a young goalie working toward the next level, Bailey's story is a reminder that growth comes from curiosity, resilience, and learning to trust your own game.