It did not matter who went up against her on the draw — ACC, Big Ten, and Ivy League commits — Ella Berzins was winning it. A 6’1″ draw specialist and midfielder from Sarasota, Florida, she will be a highly recruited prospect the moment official contact begins. Berzins very well may be the best draw taker in the class of 2028. What makes Berzins so effective is how she uses her height. In the circle, she does not need to violently push or pull — she can simply flip it up to herself and secure possession over the top of her opponent. Her dominance in the draw puts a heap of pressure on opposing defenses, suffocating them in time of possession as a result. And she is not just a draw specialist — Berzins will be recruited as a midfielder as well come September. She has a laser of a shot that she can rip from any angle, one that she can get off over the top of players at will. There is no doubt that she will find a home with a top college program in the early days of September.

Ella is a tall, athletic midfielder who uses her 6’1” height to her advantage on cuts, draws, and drives. She reads the defense effectively and communicates consistently on both ends of the field, particularly on the draw circle. Her self-awareness and height make her a strong presence in transition and in re-defend.

After speaking with Ella, it is clear she is a dedicated athlete and supportive teammate. She shared that her passion for lacrosse was inspired by her father and grandfather, both of whom played at Johns Hopkins University. She credits both her height and competitive mindset as factors that push her to continually improve. As a draw specialist who embraces playing on both sides of the field, Ella brings versatility, athleticism, and a team-first mentality that make her a valuable contributor.

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.

Berzins is a midfielder who plays high school ball in Florida, and flies on a plane to play club ball for Coppermine in Maryland. She was one of the best players at this Lacrosse Masters event. She is a dominant draw taker and can easily win the ball to herself. Berzins can rip shots from the outside. She can also finish inside and has a quick release on her shot. Berzins is a strong and tough player. She works great off-ball. Her face dodge is lethal, which allows her to get by her defender. Berzins’ change of speed running the floor mixed with her 6’1” frame makes her extremely dangerous.