On today’s episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by the talented Loyola All-American goaltender, Lauren Spence.
Lauren is coming off a remarkable season as a first-time starter for the Greyhounds. She finished second in NCAA Division for goals against average (GAA) with an impressive 7.18 and ranked fifth in save percentage, boasting an outstanding .520.
Her stellar performance earned Lauren several well-deserved accolades, including being named to the IWLCA All-America Third Team, Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, USA Lacrosse Magazine All-America Third Team, and receiving an Honorable Mention from Inside Lacrosse Women’s All-America.
Spence also played a pivotal role in leading her team to victory in the Patriot League Championship, where they defeated Army 13-8. Her remarkable performance during the tournament earned her a spot on the Patriot League All-Tournament Team, as she allowed only 11 goals in 120 minutes while making an impressive 20 saves.
The Greyhounds continued their impressive run in the NCAA Tournament, making it all the way to the quarterfinals before being defeated by the eventual champion, the Northwestern Wildcats.
Hailing from Evergreen, Colorado, Lauren discovered her passion for playing in the goalie position when her team needed a goalkeeper. She bravely stepped into the role, and the rest is history. Encouraged by her brother and cousin, both lacrosse themselves, Lauren found herself thrust into the as a target for them to shoot at.
Spence honed her skills through trial and error, perfecting her technique over time and watching game footage of goalies like Liz Hogan and Taylor Moreno. Eventually, she began working with experienced goalie coaches, with Lauren Benner, now an associate coach at Notre Dame, being a significant influence.
In high school at Evergreen High School, Lauren initially played as both a middie and goalie until her sophomore year when she became the sole remaining goalkeeper. This pivotal moment provided her with a unique opportunity, and she decided to fully commit to being a goalkeeper.
Her exceptional sophomore season caught the attention of numerous college coaches, ultimately leading her to Loyola Maryland. Lauren was deeply impressed by the campus visit and the experience her future coaches offered. Loyola also offered her desired major, making it the perfect fit for her collegiate journey.
After spending her freshman year learning from a fifth-year senior goalkeeper, Lauren seized her opportunity to become the starting netminder in 2023. Due to an injury to the team’s other goalie, Lauren found herself as the sole goalkeeper for the entire fall ball season that year. She discusses the unique challenges this situation presented and how it prepared her for the expectations of being a starting goalie.
In addition to her collegiate achievements, Lauren Spence has also represented Canada at the international level, helping her team secure a gold medal at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2022.
Throughout the tournament, Spence maintained a perfect 5-0 record with an 8.20 goals-against average and an impressive .564 save percentage. She shares her experiences of playing with Team Canada and why the Sixes format of the game is so much more enjoyable.
I hope you enjoy this episode with Lauren Spence, where we delve into various topics, including advice for recruiting, game film analysis, and tips for excelling in the 8-meter position.
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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