FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 11, 2026) – Northern Arizona soccer has announced its incoming freshmen class for the 2027-28 year, made up three forwards, one midfielder, one defender, and one goalkeeper.
The Lumberjacks will welcome Kayla Faulk, Hannah Jackman, Raegan Poll, Kirra Puels, Sayler Smith, and Berlyne Zandt next fall to Flagstaff.
Kayla Faulk, a forward from Anthem, Ariz., brings versatility in several positions, and is equally skilled in creating opportunities for her teammates as she is scoring. She earned Second Team All-Region as a sophomore and First Team All-Region as a junior for Boulder Creek High School while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. As a sophomore, Faulk also helped lead her team to the Arizona Open Division semifinals. NAU will look forward to having her technical ability, speed, and athleticism on the pitch next year.
Raegan Pool will bring natural attacking talent as a forward. As a junior for Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix last year, she was named First Team All-Region. With a 5'10 frame, Pool still moves well off the ball, allowing dangerous angles and separation from defenders. She has Lumberjack connections in her family, as both of her parents are NAU alumni.
Kirra Puels, the younger sister of current Lumberjack
Kristen Puels, has already shown resiliency in the face of adversity, navigating injuries late in her high school career. An SC Del Sol player for seven years, Puels has also excelled in the classroom as she holds a 4.96 GPA. She will bring composure and creativity to the midfield.
A Flagstaff native, Sayler Smith will stay home and add energy to NAU's wide attacking positions. Smith certainly makes her presence felt in the athletic department at Coconino High, as she also competes in track and field and cross country and serves on the Student Athlete Leadership Council. Like Pool, she will follow in her parents footsteps, both of whom are NAU alumni. She has consistently developed through her time at Coconino and finished her junior season as Grand Canyon Region Player of the Year along with nods to First Team All-Conference and All Region. Her 61 goals and counting through three seasons are a school record.
An athletic, tenacious defensive midfielder, Hannah Jackman is finishing her four-year varsity career at Lone Peak High School in Cedar Hills, Utah, as team captain. Jackman will bring championship experience, as she has won three state championships, and played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) West Region Team one season. Although primarily a defender, she also demonstrates encouraging attacking qualities and will bring competitiveness to an already talented midfield group.
Berlyne Zandt adds another 6'0 goalkeeper to the 'Jacks unit. After attending one of NAU's ID Camps, she caught the attention of the coaching staff with an impressive aerial presence and strong foundation of goalkeeping fundamentals. Most recently, Berlyne helped lead the Utah Royals FC-AZ club team to appearances at the regional and national level last season and also played in the ECNL-RL National Selection Game in 2025.
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