Lacrosse Masters: Impact Midfielders

Lacrosse Masters, hosted by Tim McDonnell, kicked off its girls lacrosse camp series on June 9 in Farmington, Connecticut, with the 6th Annual Girls High Academic Division I Summer Recruiting Prospect Camp. Representing some of the nation's most selective universities, coaches from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Michigan, Notre Dame, Princeton, Stanford, Penn, Vanderbilt, and Yale were in attendance. Every school represented has an acceptance rate below 20%, with most admitting fewer than 10% of applicants each year.   Midfielders are often asked to do a little bit of everything, and the group of midfielders at Lacrosse Masters showed that they can definitely do it all. Whether it was creating offense, coming up with key defensive stops, or pushing transition, these players consistently found ways to impact the game on both ends of the field. Their versatility, smart choices, and work ethic made them stand out among a talented group of midfielders.    Poppy Hamilton made her presence known in the draw circle throughout the event. She fought hard for every possession and consistently put herself in a position to come away with the ball. Her ability to read draws stood out, allowing her to anticipate where the ball would go before others could react. Additionally, her self-draw ability was impressive, creating extra possessions for her team and giving them opportunities to push transition quickly.     Giselle Jaskiewicz's movement off the ball immediately stood out throughout the weekend. She was shifty with the ball in her stick and consistently found ways to create space for herself and her teammates. Her vision on the offensive end allowed her to identify open players and make quality feeds. Whether dodging or facilitating, Giselle's ability to keep the offense moving made her a reliable midfielder throughout the event.     Apple was one of the most complete midfielders I evaluated. She consistently impacted the game on both ends of the field, starting with her ability in the draw circle and extending into transition, riding, and defensive play. Cortese showed a strong motor throughout the event and repeatedly worked to regain possession for her team. Her versatility and willingness to contribute in every phase of the game made her a standout performer.     Ella Berzins impacted the game in several different areas, beginning with her work in the draw circle. She consistently read draws well, showed strong self-draw ability, and used her size to create advantages. Beyond the draw, Berzins remained effective in transition, handled pressure confidently, and contributed as both a defender and offensive threat. Her versatility and lacrosse IQ made her one of the more intriguing midfield prospects at the event.     Sandra Dello-Iacono stood out because of her ability to thrive in transition. She consistently moved well between the offensive and defensive ends and looked comfortable making plays in open space. Her transition game helped create momentum shifts and provided her team with opportunities to attack quickly.     Paula Cooke made her presence felt on the defensive side of the ball through her ability to create disruption. She consistently looked for opportunities to challenge opponents and showed a knack for delivering sneaky checks that helped generate turnovers and break up offensive possessions. Cooke stayed active throughout the game and demonstrated strong defensive instincts, making her a player who could impact momentum with timely plays. Her ability to pressure ball carriers and create uncertainty for opposing offenses helped her stand out among the midfield group.     Thomas impacted the game in several different areas. She made smart decisions with possession and consistently looked to create opportunities for teammates. Her ride and competitiveness helped her stand out among the midfield group. Thomas protected the ball well under pressure and showed a strong understanding of when to distribute and when to maintain possession. Her lacrosse IQ was evident throughout the event, as she routinely made the right play and contributed in ways that helped her team succeed on both ends of the field.     Jaden Sutter consistently did the little things that impact winning. She was active in pursuing ground balls and frequently came away with possessions for her team. Additionally, she protected her stick well through traffic and contact, making it difficult for defenders to disrupt her. Her effort and ability to maintain possession allowed her team to stay on offense and create additional opportunities.

Lacrosse Masters, hosted by Tim McDonnell, kicked off its girls lacrosse camp series on June 9 in Farmington, Connecticut, with the 6th Annual Girls High Academic Division I Summer Recruiting Prospect Camp. Representing some of the nation's most selective universities, coaches from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Michigan, Notre Dame, Princeton, Stanford, Penn, Vanderbilt, and Yale were in attendance. Every school represented has an acceptance rate below 20%, with most admitting fewer than 10% of applicants each year.