Piper Dulsimer on Mental Preparation, Staying Patient, and Never Giving Up
In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with 2027 goalie Piper Dulsimer, also known as Piper in the Pipes, to discuss her journey into the cage, the mental side of the position, and her goal of playing college lacrosse.
Piper first became a lacrosse goalie during a recreational league semifinal when her coach asked for a volunteer. Because she had previously played soccer goalie, Piper was comfortable being aggressive and having the ball come toward her. She stepped into the cage, enjoyed the experience, and soon became her team’s goalie.
Her soccer background helped her begin with confidence and reduced the natural fear response many young goalies experience. Rather than flinching or moving away from the ball, Piper was already comfortable attacking it and putting herself in position to make saves.
Piper began learning the fundamentals with former University of North Carolina goalie Meg Ward. Their early sessions focused on stance, positioning, arc play, and stepping toward the ball. As Piper became older and faced faster shooters, she transitioned from stepping forward at a forty-five-degree angle to moving more laterally.
She explains that this technical change required repetition. Through her work with coach Tim Cassi of Focus Lacrosse, Piper practiced lateral movements until they became part of her natural muscle memory. Playing more laterally has helped her remain patient and composed instead of leaning forward, guessing, or becoming overly aggressive.
One of the episode’s main themes is the mental game. Piper and coach Tim dedicate significant time to recognizing when she is entering what they call “tunnel vision.” This happens when Piper becomes focused on a previous goal, negative thoughts, or factors outside her control rather than preparing for the next shot.
Piper has learned to recognize the physical signs of tunnel vision. She may stop talking, move with less energy, or become visibly frustrated. Recognizing those signals allows her to interrupt the pattern before one difficult moment becomes an extended slump.
Her reset routine includes taking a breath and repeating the word “frog.” Although the word does not have a deeper meaning, Piper uses it with purpose. It reminds her to release the previous play, return to the present, and prepare for the next shot.
Piper also keeps a mental-preparation notebook that she completes before games. She writes down how she is feeling, including excitement, nervousness, or fear. She then identifies the things she cannot control—such as what others think, how the opponent plays, or the final result—and physically crosses them out.
This process allows Piper to redirect her attention toward her effort, preparation, attitude, communication, and response to adversity.
The conversation also covers Piper’s college recruiting journey. She has attended showcases, contacted college programs, shared highlight videos, and provided coaches with her tournament schedule. Although the process can be stressful, Piper tries to remain present and appreciate the experience.
Piper discusses learning from elite goalies such as Megan Taylor and Shea Dolce. From Taylor and the GoalieSmith coaches, she has learned to “sell out” on difficult shots by reading the shooter and committing fully to the save. She admires Dolce’s aggressive, fearless style and recognizes similarities between their games.
Training sessions with coach Tim include lateral stepping, clearing under pressure, shots from different locations, hand-eye coordination, and quick ground-ball drills. Piper rates her clearing ability as a seven out of ten and continues working on remaining confident when opponents pressure her outside the crease.
As a leader, Piper emphasizes positivity and communication. She believes goalies must remain confident, direct the defense, and avoid matching the negative energy of teammates after mistakes. Although she cannot control how others respond, she can control her own attitude and prepare for the next play.
Piper’s story demonstrates how consistent mental training can prevent a difficult quarter or game from becoming a long-term slump. Her final message to other goalies is to keep pushing, continue training, and remain open to opportunities that may be greater than anything they currently imagine.
