Lax Goalie Rat Podcast: Episode Summary

Guest: Sarah Resnick (Starting Goalie, University of Florida)

Host: Coach Damon Wilson

## Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways

1. The Soccer/Lacrosse Misunderstanding

• Accidental Beginnings: In third grade, Sarah’s dad suggested she try playing goalie. However, he meant in soccer. Sarah misunderstood, went to lacrosse practice the next day, and volunteered for the lacrosse cage instead.

• The No-Fear Factor: While many youth players struggle with a fear of the ball, Sarah was completely fearless from day one. This natural bravery convinced her dad to fully support her transition into a lacrosse goalie.

• Dedication from the Start: Once committed, Sarah and her dad spent two to four hours nearly every single day practicing in the backyard.

2. Playing "Like a Cat"

• The Cat Analogy: Sarah’s dad taught her to play like a cat waiting for a toy—staying relatively still, tracking the ball patiently, and then explosively pouncing the split second the shot is released.

• An Athletic, Unorthodox Style: At 5'2", Sarah plays an athletic, quick-handed game. She describes her style as a mix of a hockey goalie (often dropping to her knees on low shots) and a cat. She embraces her unique movement, noting she has "never made a perfect, textbook save" but focuses entirely on getting her body behind the ball.

3. The Multi-Sport Advantage

• What Soccer Brought to Her Game: Playing soccer up until her senior year of high school kept Sarah in peak physical condition and elevated her overall sports IQ. It also brought a level of physicality and toughness that translated directly to her presence in the crease.

• Goal Setting: From a young age, Sarah used goal-setting to fuel her work ethic. In fifth grade, she set a goal to make varsity as a seventh grader (which she did). She continued setting annual goals, such as earning All-County, All-American honors, and eventually leading Florida deep into the NCAA tournament.

4. Finding a Home at Florida

• The Recruiting Process: Though she grew up idolizing UNC, a visit to the University of Florida in the eighth grade changed everything. She fell in love with the campus, the world-class athletic facilities, and the passionate culture of the program.

• Coach Mandy O'Leary: Sarah credits Head Coach Mandy O'Leary as a massive reason for her commitment. She describes Mandy as a mother figure who fiercely advocates for her players and brings unmatched passion to the team every single day.

5. Leading by Example

• Age is Just a Number: Despite being a young starter on a team with older players, Sarah found leadership came naturally. She believes the most effective way to lead is by example—working tirelessly in practice so her teammates naturally rally around her.

## Sarah's Influences & Goalie Idols

• Brianna "Breezy" (Northwestern): A Rocky Point, NY native who played with a patient, "cat-like" style. Watching her snatch fast shots out of the air at the Stony Brook national championships inspired Sarah's own playstyle.

• Lauren Maxim (UNC): A Farmingdale product whom Sarah closely watched and emulated.

• UNC's 2013 National Championship Goalie: Sarah vividly remembers the incredible, game-saving, triple-overtime point-blank stop that led directly to UNC's clearing transition and eventual game-winning goal.

## Top Quotes from Sarah

"I try to play like a cat. If when they're shooting it, you kinda wait... and then when the shot goes, you pounce."

"You don't have to play exactly like everyone else. Every goalie is different. If you don't feel comfortable doing a technique, you don't have to do it."

## Sponsor Message: Goalie Summit

• What it is: A digital training summit featuring 16 elite presentations from the sport's best goalie coaches, covering drills, mental preparation, and physical conditioning.

• The Value: Skip paying $100+ per hour for private lessons. You can own the lifetime replay recordings for just a few dollars per hour of elite content.

• How to Register: Head over to www.goaliesummit.com to claim your training package