By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/16/09
Sun Valley senior midfielder Kelly Custer has signed a letter of intent to play next year at Towson University.
Custer, a first-team All-Del-Val League pick last season, had wanted to attend Towson since 
her sophomore year when she first went to a summer camp at the university, located in the heart of lacrosse near Baltimore.
“I went to camp there after my sophomore and junior years and I loved the campus,” she said. “The area is great and in this town, lacrosse is the main sport. It is a huge sport! The coaches and team were so welcoming and I loved everything they had to offer.”
Custer will study nursing.
“I shadowed my cousin, who is a nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania I knew it was something I would like to do,” she said. “I also liked the fact it’s far enough away – like an hour and a half – but not too far.”
Unfortunately for Custer, she suffered a serious knee injury in late January while playing basketball for Sun Valley and will have to sit out her senior year. While going up for a layup, her knee buckled and it was determined she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament.
Custer has shed her brace and has begun physical therapy sessions and plans to be fully recovered for Fall Ball in late September. The injury will prevent her from setting the school record for goals; she amassed an amazing total of 266 goals in three varsity seasons (seven shy of record) despite the fact her coaches consider her one of the most unselfish players around.
“It’s definitely been difficult,” she said. “I am on the sideline and when I watch them scrimmage, I want to be out there so badly.
“I have been keeping score. I can’t wait to get back out there. I just started bending my knee and it started to hurt. I realize it’s going to be such hard work, but it will definitely be worth it.
“I just can’t wait to get out there running and playing. I am nervous to come back, but I can’t wait to be on the field.”
Custer said Towson coach Missy Doherty has been fully supportive since she sustained the injury.
“She has called me, wanting updates,” Custer said. “She’s been there always asking me how I’m doing. She is excited for my recovery.
“At first when this happened, I asked, ‘Why did this have to happen to me?’ I was so upset. But then I said to myself, ‘This has already happened and I just have to look ahead and get over it.’
“The toughest thing for me is that I am used to playing three sports. I went from soccer to basketball to lacrosse. I definitely appreciate it all a lot more now.”
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