LGR 221: Giuliana Portolesi Understanding How to Play with a Confident Mindset

Episode 221: Giuliana Portolesi on JUCO Lacrosse, Mental Toughness & Betting on Yourself

Can junior college lacrosse be the path to Division I?

In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with Onondaga Community College goalie Giuliana Portolesi to discuss her unique journey from California and Washington to one of the most successful junior college lacrosse programs in the country.

Giuliana shares why she chose the JUCO route, how it helped her earn a Division I opportunity at Queens University, and why community college is one of the most overlooked paths in women's lacrosse. She also dives into goalie mindset, confidence, recruiting, leadership, and the lessons she learned representing Team Italy on the international stage.

Whether you're navigating through the recruiting process, looking to improve your mental game, or wondering if JUCO is right for you, this episode is full of valuable insights.

In This Episode You'll Learn

• How Giuliana unexpectedly became a lacrosse goalie
• Learning the position without local goalie resources
• Why quality reps matter more than fancy drills
• The recruiting process from high school to junior college
• How NCSA can help (and when you may not need it)
• Why Onondaga Community College is a powerhouse in JUCO lacrosse
• The advantages of choosing the JUCO route
• How JUCO helped her earn a Division I opportunity
• Building confidence through "irrational confidence"
• The importance of controlling the controllables
• Why comparison steals confidence
• Her unique goalie arc and playing style
• Representing Italy at the World Championships
• Leadership, resilience, and overcoming setbacks
• Why practicing harder makes games feel easier

Memorable Quotes

"Practice hard, play easy."

"You're the best. Just believe it."

"Hard work works."

"The game is a privilege and a medicine."

"It's only a loss if you don't learn anything."

Key Takeaways

Giuliana's story is proof that there isn't just one path to playing college lacrosse.

She explains how junior college gave her another opportunity to develop as a player, compete at a high level, and ultimately earn a Division I commitment. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of confidence, embracing challenges, and staying committed to continuous improvement.

Her biggest message: Believe in yourself before anyone else does, work relentlessly, and never stop being a student of the game.

Resources Mentioned

• Onondaga Community College Women's Lacrosse
• NCSA Recruiting
• Lax Goalie Rat Academy
• Team Italy Women's Lacrosse
• Queens University Women's Lacrosse

Connect with Lax Goalie Rat

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For goalie drills, mindset training, coaching resources, and more, visit Lax Goalie Rat Academy.