Lax Goalie Rat Podcast: Kaylee Waters on Building Confidence, Leadership, and the Mental Game of Goaltending

In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with one of the top female lacrosse goalies in the world, Kaylee Waters.

Kaylee’s resume speaks for itself: she is a two-time National Goalie of the Year, a national champion with the University of North Carolina, the No. 1 overall pick in the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Draft, and a former member of Team USA. Throughout this conversation, Kaylee shares the lessons, techniques, and mindset that helped her become one of the best goalies in the sport.

From starting as a field player who was asked to step into the cage in seventh grade to competing at the highest levels of lacrosse, Kaylee breaks down her journey and the experiences that shaped her as a goalie.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Kaylee transitioned from field player to goalie and discovered her passion for the position

• Why playing multiple sports helped her become a better athlete and goalie

• How she developed her aggressive, athletic style of play

• The importance of being an active goalie outside of the crease

• How she learned from goalie legends like Devon Wills

• The evolution of her game from youth lacrosse to high school, college, and Team USA

• Why communication and defensive leadership are essential skills for elite goalies

• How she handled splitting time in the cage with fellow UNC standout Megan Ward

• Why goalies should focus on team success instead of individual competition

• Her favorite goalie drills, including wall ball and reaction training

• How to overcome slumps and regain confidence during tough stretches

• The importance of staying present and not letting previous goals affect future plays

• How goalies can become better leaders on and off the field

• Why young goalies should take risks, experiment with different styles, and enjoy the position

Key Takeaways From Kaylee:

Be more than just a shot stopper.
Great goalies impact the game through communication, clearing, ground balls, leadership, and making plays outside of the crease.

Stay ready.
Whether you are a starter, backup, or splitting time, opportunities can come at any moment. Preparation and mindset separate great goalies from the rest.

Have fun with the position.
Kaylee emphasizes that enjoying the game helps goalies stay loose, confident, and able to perform at their best.

Celebrate the little things.
Success is not only measured by saves. Every defensive stop, communication win, and positive play matters.

About Kaylee Waters

Kaylee Waters is one of the most accomplished female lacrosse goalies of her generation. She was a standout at the University of North Carolina, where she won a national championship and earned two National Goalie of the Year awards. She has also represented Team USA and continues to share her knowledge of the position with the next generation of goalies.

Resources Mentioned:

Lax Goalie Rat Online Goalie Camp
Learn the fundamentals, techniques, and mindset needed to become a better lacrosse goalie:
https://laxgoalierat.com/goal

Follow Kaylee Waters:

• Instagram: @kayleewaters

Thanks for listening to the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast with Coach Damon Wilson — the podcast dedicated 100% to helping lacrosse goalies improve their skills, mindset, and confidence.

Get out there, put in the work, and keep getting better!