Possession starts at the center circle and as we look ahead to the Womens deeThreeLax season we continue to look at players that can give their teams advantages throughout the year. Next we are taking a looking at some of the top returning Draw Specialists. 

Much like the faceoff specialists on the men’s side, an elite player on the draw can completely change the flow of a game. Win a few consecutive draws and suddenly a three-goal deficit can disappear. Control possession with a lead and an opponent may struggle to even get the ball back. And when two evenly matched teams meet in May, a handful of extra possessions can be the difference between advancing and going home.

Individual draw controls give us a good place to start, but they don’t tell the entire story. Placement matters. Circle play matters. Teammates matter. And sometimes the best draw isn’t one a specialist wins herself  it’s the perfectly placed ball that allows a teammate to secure possession.

Here are some of the top returning draw specialists to know.

Julie Ryan – CMS

352 Draw Controls

There’s really only one place to start. 352 draw controls. Julie Ryan enters 2027 after putting together an enormous season at the center circle for CMS. No player on this list comes close to matching that individual total. Winning more than 350 draw controls over the course of a season means consistently creating possessions and giving your offense opportunities to go to work. 

It is an eye-popping number and makes Ryan the statistical headliner of this returning group. The question entering 2027 is simple: what does she do for an encore?

Maihue Miranda Wiltberger – Pomona-Pitzer

189 Draw Controls

Another major presence out West returns at Pomona-Pitzer. Maihue Miranda Wiltberger secured 189 draw controls last season, the second-highest total among the returning specialists on our list. 

Approaching 200 individual draw controls is significant production.

For Pomona-Pitzer, bringing that type of proven ability back to the center circle provides a major foundation for the possession game heading into 2027.

Alena Catka – Neumann

166 Draw Controls

Neumann brings back one of the most productive draw specialists in DeeThreeLax in Alena Catka. Catka recorded 166 draw controls last season, putting her among the leaders of this returning group. A specialist who can consistently create extra possessions gives an offense more opportunities and can help a team control the pace of a game.

Catka has already shown she can provide exactly that.

Madison Rothwein – Rowan

154 Draw Controls

Rowan will bring back a major piece of its possession game in Madison Rothwein.

Rothwein recorded 154 draw controls last season, putting her among the top five players in this returning group. Winning 150-plus individual draws provides an offense with plenty of additional opportunities over the course of a season.

Rowan enters 2027 knowing it already has a proven presence returning to the center circle.

Hannah Compa – Union

149 Draw Controls

Just behind Rothwein is Union’s Hannah Compa. Compa finished last season with 149 draw controls and gives Union another experienced specialist heading into the new season. The difference between winning and losing the possession battle can be enormous, particularly in close games.

Having someone who has already proven capable of securing nearly 150 draws provides Union with an important weapon.

Lauren Samela – Hartford

137 Draw Controls

Hartford’s Lauren Samela returns after securing 137 draw controls last season. That’s another significant number and places her firmly among the returning specialists to watch heading into 2027.

Consistency at the center circle can allow a team to establish tempo from the opening whistle, and Samela gives Hartford a proven option capable of doing exactly that.

Paige Mayers – Bridgewater

122 Draw Controls

Bridgewater brings back Paige Mayers after a 122-draw-control campaign. Crossing the century mark is impressive enough.

Getting beyond 120 puts Mayers among another strong group of returning specialists who should play a major role in their teams’ possession game in 2027.

Taylor Sparks – Wilkes

109 Draw Controls

Wilkes will bring back Taylor Sparks after a 109-draw-control season. Sparks joins the group of returning specialists who eclipsed 100 individual draw controls last year and provides Wilkes with a proven presence heading into the spring.

Lucy Bishop – Middlebury

107 Draw Controls

Middlebury’s Lucy Bishop returns after recording 107 draw controls last season.

The raw number is impressive on its own, but there’s also important context. Middlebury routinely plays one of the most demanding schedules in DeeThreeLax and expects to compete at the highest level nationally.

Every possession becomes more important against elite competition. Bishop gives Middlebury experience returning at the center circle as the Panthers look toward another season with major expectations.

Carmella Garcia –  Marymount

105 Draw Controls

Marymount’s Carmella Garcia also returns after surpassing the 100-draw-control mark.

Garcia finished with 105 and gives Marymount another established specialist heading into the new season. Those extra possessions add up quickly over the course of a game — and an entire season.

DTL Returning Draw Specialists to Watch

• Julie Ryan, CMS – 352 draw controls
• Maihue Miranda Wiltberger, Pomona-Pitzer – 189 draw controls
• Alena Catka, Neumann – 166 draw controls
• Miranda Hayes, Roger Williams – 164 draw controls
• Madison Rothwein, Rowan – 154 draw controls
• Hannah Compa, Union – 149 draw controls
• Lauren Samela, Hartford – 137 draw controls
• Grace Battle, Gettysburg – 134 draw controls
• Paige Mayers, Bridgewater – 122 draw controls
• Anyssia Ingersoll, SUNY Morrisville – 111 draw controls
• Taylor Sparks, Wilkes – 109 draw controls
• Lucy Bishop, Middlebury – 107 draw controls
• Carmella Garcia, Marymount – 105 draw controls
• Grace Harvey, Bowdoin – 101 draw controls