LGR 192: Goalie Tips from Penn All-American goalie Patrick Burkinshaw

In this episode, Coach Damon Wilson is joined by Patrick Burkinshaw, an Honorable Mention All-American goalie who played for both the University of Virginia and the University of Pennsylvania. Pat shares his lacrosse journey, how he developed his communication style, and what went into his decision to skip his graduate year of eligibility to transition into the working world.

"At the end of the day, yes it is faster, but I'm still getting in between a 6x6 net and my main goal is to stop the ball." — Patrick Burkinshaw

Key Highlights & Takeaways
Backyard Beginnings: Like many goalies, Pat's introduction to the position started in the backyard being shot on by his older brothers. He began playing goalie formally in the 7th grade, splitting halves with his best friend.

The Importance of Stick Skills: Pat highlights that playing multiple positions (like attack and midfield) before high school is one of the most developmental things a youth goalie can do. Developing your off-hand and overall stick skills directly translates to better outlet passes and handling ground balls.

Learning Technique at Penn: Pat notes that he wasn't always the most technical goalie, but his major development happened at Penn under coach Dave Paige. Coach Paige emphasized simple adjustments, like keeping feet steady on top-angle shots and tracking the ball completely into the stick.

The Transfer to Penn: After a successful freshman year at UVA, Pat decided to transfer to Penn. He explains that he fell in love with the team culture, wanted a new start, and valued Penn's incredible alumni network, which frequently brings out dozens of former players to support the team.

Communicating to Stop Low-Angle Shots: Due to his wide stance, Pat preferred facing shots from up top over lower, deep-alley angles. He explains how he used vocal leadership to communicate with his defense on when to slide and recover, preventing high-percentage inside looks.