Cayla Ellis '20 Recruiting Profile

My name is Cayla Ellis and I am a 17 year old 5'4'' 120 lb. multi-use soccer player. The positions I've had the most experience with is center back, outside back, and outside mid-fielder. Although these are my main positions I am very capable of joining the attack as well. Starting my Freshman year at Lansing Christian School I was on varsity starting as an outside back where I assisted my team in winning the State Championship, not once, but twice as a Freshman and Sophomore. I quickly became known as "the wall" since nearly no one got past me in the backline, and if they did, I'd track them down leaving no time for them to get the ball off their feet. The one thing my coach instilled into us women that has stuck with me is that: when we set the bar, we always meet it and rise above it every time. This past year I started as an outside mid-fielder being part of the attack as well as defending. I've earned the award of "queen crosser" from assisting countless goals from beating players on the outside and driving the ball up the line for service. I was selected for all-conference in 2017-2019 and all-state in 2019. 

It is one thing to talk about how good you are, but hard work actually shows it. I strive to play well, but also enjoy what I do. My passion for soccer started ever since I was 3 playing co-ed for a little league called the Eagles. From there, it has grown to me joining travel soccer in middle school for Rush of Lansing, MI along with playing for my school soccer. Up until this year, I've joined a new club known as Cap City where I continue to play my game and start as a defender; along with ending my soccer career as a Pilgrim and potentially playing Division I, II or III soccer in college. I leave the division gap because of my passion for architecture and design. I want a great fit for me athletically as well as academically. Taking my schooling seriously throughout the years, I've earned awards throughout High School of maintaining above a 3.75 GPA while playing basketball and soccer. I prefer to attend college in the state of Michigan first, but I am very open to going out of state as well (e.g. Chicago, New York, Indiana, Georgia, etc).

In college, I plan on expanding off of what works/doesn't work but also getting the opportunity to create new relationships with the players and coaches of a new potential soccer family. I will continue to hustle and strive to exceed the bar and rise above it every time. I give my all to things I am passionate about and soccer is definitely one I put time and effort into almost every day.