On today’s Lax Goalie Rat Podcast episode, Coach Damon sits down to chat with Concordia University women’s lacrosse goalie Rachel Costello.
Rachel has a unique story as unlike many of the goalies we interview on this podcast who play in NCAA Division I programs, she comes from a school in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NAIA is a smaller association than the NCAA, with just over 60,000 students. It includes two divisions (Division I and II) and Division I in the NAIA is comparable to Division II in the NCAA. Over 90% of schools in the NAIA offer scholarships.
Rachel chose to go this route as she found that Concordia University Ann Arbor met all of her needs, not only just as an athlete or student, but in her personal life as well. Being close to home was huge for the Plymouth, MI native and Concordia offered her the ability to be a close drive home to her family.
The sophomore earned the starting role with the Cardinals this past season, and while it was a rebuilding year for Concordia after capturing a WHAC regular championship in 2021, Costello finished the season with an outstanding 21-save performance against Indiana Tech to wrap up the season.
The 6’0” goalie appeared in 11 games, starting 14, and finished her sophomore year with a .374 %save percentage and had a 4-8 goalie record all while tallying 2 assists, 26 ground balls, and 3 caused turnovers.
Rachel is also a product of the 6×6 Goalie Academy and founder Brad Gigliotti. Costello touches on how 6×6 has helped her development as a goalie and also how Coach Gig’s Goalies Matter has helped her improve her mental game now as a collegiate athlete with the Cardinals.
Rachel is also an accomplished multi-sport athlete and has spent time playing not only lacrosse but golf, tennis, and soccer. She chats with us about how she was able to use these other sports to help her goalie game and also give her a break to try new things and meet new people.
Rachel joins the show today to talk about playing in the NAIA, attending 6×6 Goalie Academy, choosing the right college, and much more!
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