“No matter what her role has been,” Moore said, “whether she was an injured player not playing a minute or a senior captain scoring all of the goals, she has been positive. It has been special [being captains together]. We have been through the highs and lows and have come so far together.”

The team’s younger players appreciate Costello as well, citing both her talent and leadership as valuable assets to the team.

“I think that Caitlin is a true leader,” said freshman forward Alisha Moran. “She is inspirational not only in the way she plays on the field, but with things like the pep talks before the game. She is always encouraging.”

With Costello’s senior season in full swing, her tumultuous freshman year seems far away. But things really aren’t that different. Costello still loves soccer, and now she is playing the game she loves and playing it well.

“Soccer for me is that chance to put everything aside,” Costello said. “It is a chance to put all the superfluous aspects of life that cause too many problems aside and go out and do something I love.”

Costello is making the most of that chance.