This group of Week 1 top performers, sponsored by Athletic Republic, highlights those who began the season with a flourish during the 27th Gateway Classic.
Forward
Vicky Derdoy, senior, Ladue
Scored seven goals and added three assists in helping the Rams win the Pool E championship. Derdoy scored the game-winner against both Kentucky Country Day and Antitoch (TN) and has accumulated an area-leading 24 points through the first four games of the season.
Midfield
Lylah Kaminski, senior, St. Joseph’s
Scored two goals and added two assists to lead the Angels to a Pool C championship. A senior captain, Kaminski figured in on four of the six goals scored by St. Joseph’s during the weekend while controlling the midfield both offensively and defensively.
Eileen McKeown, sophomore, Visitation
Scored three goals, including the game-winner against St. Ignatius in the final 12 minutes to help the Vivettes win the Pool G championship. After being held scoreless during a 2-2 tie with South Oldham, McKeown scored twice in a 4-2 victory over Pembroke Hill before scoring the only goal in the pool-clinching win over St. Ignatius.
Irene Murphy, sophomore, Ladue
Scored four goals and added two assists as the Rams cruised to a Pool E title. Murphy was dangerous throughout the tournament, launching 18 shots at the cage including 12 during a 5-1 win over Antitoch.
Defense
Claire Kroh, junior, Pembroke Hill
Played every tension-filled minute for a Pembroke Hill team that played two games decided by one goal and a game against Visitation decided by two goals. Kroh, who coaches elementary school players in an effort to grow the game in the Kansas City area, displayed outstanding poise and leadership throughout the weekend.
Finnley Desloge, junior, John Burroughs
A powerhouse defender, Desloge showed she is also a threat in the attacking 25 with goals against Lake Forest (IL) and Huntington Beach (CA) to help the Bombers capture the Pool B title. She is verbally committed to play at Boston College.
Lauren Hagan, sophomore, Villa Duchesne
A strong one-on-one defender, Hagan played brilliantly in limiting Princeton-bound Lily Cimaroli of New Trier (IL) in a 3-3 tie against the No. 12 team in the nation. She helped Villa go 2-1-1 in Pool A with the defense yielding only two goals during the Saints’ final three games.
Sophie Buchowski, senior, John Burroughs
With a dangerous combination of speed and power, Buchowski’s cerebral approach to the game makes her the perfect quarterback of the Bombers’ defense. She scored two goals against Huntington Beach and added an assist in a win over Lake Forest. She is verbally committed to Yale University.
Goalie
Mary Claire Lindh, junior, Nerinx Hall
After delivering a solo shutout against Summit and a shared shutout against Louisville-Francis Parker, Lindh produced a nine-save performance against John Burroughs in the first regular season game for the Markers.
Mary Malloy, sophomore, St. Joseph’s
Made six saves against MICDS in a 2-1 victory to open tournament play, then generated another six-save performance in a 2-1 win over Wilmette-Loyola Academy (IL), keeping the game scoreless despite a slow start by the Angels. She earned a shutout against Louisville Collegiate to clinch the Pool C title.
LJ Masson, sophomore, Visitation
Returning from an injury suffered last season, Masson was brilliant in goal for the Vivettes, making spectacular saves in a 2-2 tie against South Oldham (KY) and during a 4-2 win over Pembroke Hill before earning the Pool-winning shutout in a 1-0 victory against St. Ignatius.
For stories from the Gateway Classic, visit https://metrosportsstl.com/category/field-hockey/
For photos from the Gateway Classic, visit https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Field-Hockey/2025-Season