July is peak NCAA evaluation period across most travel and club circuits, which means if you’re a 2027 or 2028 goalie, the games you’re playing right now are being watched with intent, not just attended. The problem: most goalies have no idea what’s actually on the checklist. They assume it’s save percentage. While that is important, there are so many other variables that college coaches look at that are equally as important.

Here’s what’s actually getting flagged in a 15-minute evaluation window:

1. Footwork under fatigue, not under ideal conditions. Anyone can move their feet correctly on a fresh first shot. Coaches are watching what happens on shot 20 of the game, when the legs are heavy. Are you still stepping to the ball, or are you starting to reach with just your hands
2. Clearing decisions, not clearing execution. A clean outlet pass is table stakes. What gets noticed is whether you’re making the right read under pressure (quick pass out versus carrying it up, bullet pass vs. lob) because that’s a direct signal of lacrosse IQ, which translates straight to “can this goalie run our defense.”
3. Body language after a goal. This is the single most-watched, least-talked-about evaluation point. Coaches aren’t just clocking the save percentage, they’re clocking the 10 seconds after every goal allowed. Head down and rattled, or reset and organizing the defense for the next possession? That reaction is being read as a proxy for how you’ll handle a bad first quarter in a college game two years from now.

The gap is rarely talent at the highest levels. It’s that nobody has ever pointed a camera at these three specific things and broken them down frame by frame.

Keep these things in mind for your upcoming tournament, and I bet you’ll surprise yourself with some awesome saves, and open doors to colleges you’ve dreamed of attending!

Also, we love to hear from you guys. If you just crushed it at your tournament and we’ve been of use in any way, shoot us a message on instagram or send an email to connor@adaptivegoaltending.com. We do what we do because of you guys (the goalies, parents and coaches).