On this episode of the LAX Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with Aidan Seibel, the #1 ranked high school goalie in his class and a future Maryland Terrapin. Aidan’s story is both inspiring and motivational, showcasing the grit, dedication, and mental strength required to become one of the best goalies in the game.
From Fourth Grade to Maryland
Aidan’s lacrosse journey began in the fourth grade when his team was getting blown out at halftime. Frustrated and unwilling to accept defeat, he approached his coach and asked for a shot in goal. He threw on the pads, made a save, and quickly realized he loved the position. From that moment, he dedicated himself to mastering the craft of goaltending.
Fast forward to today, and Aidan is widely recognized as one of the top young goalies in the country. He capped off a stellar junior year by earning MIAA Player of the Year honors and being named an All-American—an achievement few goalies ever reach. Now, he’s preparing for his senior year at McDonogh and looking ahead to college lacrosse at his dream school, the University of Maryland.
Training to Be the Best
Aidan credits his success to a relentless work ethic and a willingness to step out of his comfort zone. He emphasizes that practice alone isn’t enough; the extra work—whether it’s getting early shots, staying late after practice, or trying new drills—is what sets elite goalies apart.
One of Aidan’s favorite training tips is to focus on progression. For young goalies transitioning to a wide base stance, Aidan suggests making small, gradual adjustments rather than overhauling their setup overnight. He also incorporates hand-eye coordination drills, juggling, and footwork exercises into his daily routine to ensure he’s improving all aspects of his game.
Mastering the Mental Game
Aidan believes that being a goalie is 90% mental. Whether you give up one goal or five in a row, the ability to reset and stay focused is critical. His mantra is the “goldfish mentality”—letting go of mistakes quickly and moving on to the next play.
Body language also plays a huge role in a goalie’s presence. Aidan recalls a game where his team’s poor body language fueled their opponent’s momentum. Since then, he’s made it a point to stay loose, confident, and positive, no matter the situation.
One of Aidan’s unique pregame rituals involves squirting water into the air in the shape of the number 1—a reminder that he’s the best and fully prepared to dominate on the field.
Chasing Big Dreams
Aidan’s long-term goal is to represent Team USA and play in the Olympics—a lofty ambition that motivates him to work hard every single day. His advice to young goalies is simple but powerful: “Keep working hard.”
Aidan’s story proves that with dedication, mental strength, and a relentless drive to improve, anything is possible. Whether you’re a young goalie, a coach, or a lacrosse enthusiast, this episode is filled with actionable insights and inspiration that will help you elevate your game.
Tune into the full episode to hear more about Aidan’s training methods, mindset hacks, and his journey to becoming a Terp. You can also catch his electrifying highlight reel, featuring his signature pregame water squirt ritual.
P.S. - Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
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Lacrosse is my passion! The game has given me so much and this blog is my way of giving back to the lax community. Specifically the most bad a$$ part of that community - the goalies! After learning to play goalie from scratch, I wanted to create a site where I could share what I learned with others so they too can become champions in the crease and in life. Learn more about Coach Damon.
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