On today’s episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, I’m joined by former Denver goalie and coach in the Northwest US, Josh Matte.
Hailing from Issaquah, WA, Josh is the founder of the Northwest Goalie Academy, a goalie coaching company that aims to develop young athletes in the Washington State area.
Josh just recently presented at the Lacrosse Goalie Summit 10 and brings a wealth of knowledge on the position to help grow the sport in the Northwest US.
Josh’s journey in lacrosse began in the second grade when a coach decided to give him a try in the net. Turns out, it was a perfect fit for Matte, as he always had the desire to be a goalie. He was drawn to the gear, movement, and individuality that the goalie position offered.
While lacrosse wasn’t a hotbed sport in the Northwest during Josh’s middle school days, the sport started to grow and flourish, providing more exposure and opportunities for young players like him.
Playing with the Seattle Starz lacrosse club, Josh’s outstanding performances caught the attention of legendary coach Bill Tierney and the Denver Pioneers.
He went on to play two seasons with the Pioneers, starting in nine games his sophomore season going 8-1 with a GAA of 6.80 and a save percentage of .425.
However, some challenges off the field, including his father’s health, led to Matte realizing the need to step away from the sport and prioritize more important things.
The love for lacrosse never truly left Josh’s heart, and he found his way back to the sport through an offer to coach with his former club team.
Coaching reignited his passion for the game, especially as he had the opportunity to develop goalies in the Washington area. This experience eventually led him to establish the Northwest Goalie Academy.
As a goalie coach, Josh focuses on teaching goalies essential skills, such as handling the anxiety of the position, staying relaxed in the net, and emphasizing getting your body behind the ball on shots. Josh delves into these concepts and shares valuable tips and drills to help goalies develop these skills in their own game during the show.
I’m sure you’ll find this episode with Josh Matte both inspiring and informative.
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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