Today on the show, we’re fired up to sit down with Aaron D’Aversa, a goalie whose game is built on discipline and detail. Aaron has competed at both Limestone (DII) and Roger Williams (DIII), giving him a rare perspective on development, competition, and the mental demands that come with being the last line of defense.
D’Aversa is known for his routine pregame ritual: jump rope, juggling, resistance band work, and always warming up first with a short stick before switching to his game stick. From there, he uses a weighted shaft to walk the line and sharpen his low saves. His routine isn’t a superstition to him; it’s mental cues that tell his body it’s time to lock in. If he’s dialed during a game, he’ll wear the same socks during the next play. Don’t mess with what works.
Film is another key to his development. He breaks down every practice and game, not just to find mistakes, but to reinforce his confidence. When he’s in a slump, he’ll even watch his own highlights, reminding himself of what he’s capable of and resetting his mindset. That shift from doubt to belief has transformed how he approaches big moments, especially in overtime.
His experience at DII and DIII has shaped his lacrosse life. After playing at a massive DII program with strict structure and 80-man rosters, moving to DIII gave him more balance, still competitive, still high-level, but with more room for life outside lacrosse. Aaron’s outside lacrosse life is very important to him, whether it’s fishing, surfing, or just enjoying campus life, that balance helps keep him grounded.
At the core of it all, Aaron D’Aversa is driven by discipline, mental preparation, and a genuine love for the game, the kind of mindset that young goalies can learn a lot from.
Hope you all enjoy my conversation with Aaron D’Aversa.
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