Third-year midfielder for the Panthers recently committed to play for Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. A team captain, Costello has gotten her senior season off to a flying start with a team-high 12 goals in the Panthers' first three games, all victories, to got along with five ground balls, four draw controls and two caused turnovers. Last season, Costello scored 28 goals, collected 10 ground balls and caused four turnovers.
Girls lacrosse players to watch
Kerry Costello, senior, O'Fallon
Kendall Curry, senior, MICDS
Third-year starting goalkeeper for the two-time defending state champion Rams. Curry was a first team Post-Dispatch All-Metro and all-state selection as a junior. Curry's 5.85 goals against average was second best in the area and her save percentage of .594 ranked fifth. She has played every minute in goal the last three seasons for MICDS, including a 16-0 campaign in 2021. Posted 15 saves during state semifinal victory against John Burroughs.
Anna Loeffelman, senior, Cor Jesu
The reigning Metro Women’s Athletic Association player of the year is a third-year varsity player and signed to play for Rockhurst University in Kansas City. A midfielder, Loeffelman was a third team Post-Dispatch All-Metro selection last season and received all-state honorable mention. As a junior, she scored 26 goals to go along with a team-leading 20 assists, 61 draw controls and 13 caused turnovers as Cor Jesu reached the state quarterfinals. Also had 24 goals and six assists as a sophomore. Also a standout field hockey player and led Chargers to Midwest Tournament semifinals in that sport.
Kara Niewoehner, senior, Lafayette
Midfielder and Davidson College signee is a returning second team Post-Dispatch All-Metro player and first team all-state selection. Scored 46 goals to go along with 13 assists last season as Lancers posted 13-7 record and reached state quarterfinals. Also had 54 draw controls, 43 ground balls, 30 caused turnovers. This season, Niewoehner has seven goals and six assists in Lafayette's first two games, both victories.
Natalie Ruffus, senior, Summit
Attacker tied for 10th in the area last season with team-leading 82 points on 62 goals and 20 assists, helping Falcons to a 12-6 record and fourth place finish in state tournament. Returning first team All-Metro pick also provided 50 draw controls, 28 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers. Signed East Stroudsburg, a Pennsylvania school that finished second in the 2022 NCAA Division II national tournament in St. Charles. Scored five goals in Summit's opener, has 92 in career.
One of the area's elite tennis players has proven just as adept with a lacrosse stick as she is with a racquet.
