WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue soccer coach Drew Roff has announced that 10 student-athletes have committed to join the Boilermakers for the 2022 season, a signing class which is ranked No. 19 nationally.
This year's signing class features Sabrina Blount (Cedar Park, Texas), Kayla Budish (Brookfield, Wisconsin), Brooke Haarala (Framingham, Massachusetts), Olivia Hall (Overland Park, Kansas), Peyton Hunt (Richardson, Texas), Kailey Kimball (Danville, California), Riley Knudsen (Carlsbad, California), Samantha Pullins (Gurnee, Illinois), Naomi Splittorff (Evansville, Indiana) and Natalie Thurston (Glenview, Illinois).
The class is the No. 19-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
"There are a lot of reasons to be excited about our 2022 recruiting class," Roff said. "The talent level is very high, and every position on the pitch is represented. These ten student-athletes also fit in extremely well with our style of play and our team culture. This season we established ourselves as a top-25 program, and I have no doubt this class has what it takes to help Purdue Soccer continue to raise the bar and compete for championships."
The 2022 signing class hails from seven states, including two from California, Illinois and Texas, and one from Indiana. Featuring five defenders, three forwards, one midfielder and one goalkeeper, the class will arrive in West Lafayette and make their Folk Field debuts in the fall of 2022.
SABRINA BLOUNT – CEDAR PARK, TEXAS (CEDAR PARK HIGH)
Sabrina Blount is a defender from Cedar Park, Texas, and plays at Cedar Park High for coach Winston Pool. As she helped her team to a regional final in 2021, Blount was named the all-district defensive MVP and team newcomer of the year and she earned all-district first team honors. Blount also plays for Lonestar SC and coach Zack Pope, where she was team captain in 2019-20 and 2020-21 and scored eight goals in 2021.
A National Honor Society member and National Science Honor Society member, Blount is part of Mu Alpha Theta, an AP scholar and is in the top six percent of her class. She also is an FFA State Public Relations Competitor, a State Milk Quality and Products Competitor and has FFA Livestock Production Entrepreneurial Supervised Agricultural Experience.
Blount plans to major in animal sciences at Purdue, and she aspires to have a career as a large animal veterinarian after graduation and her playing career. Her parents are Jodi and Richard, and she has one brother and one sister.
Blount on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because the moment I stepped on campus I felt like I was home. The incredible soccer program with amazing coaches, a family-feel to the team and a school that provided an excellent agriculture department were the most important qualities to me. Purdue exceeded all of those ideals. I can't wait to be a part of such an amazing program!"
Roff on Blount: "Sabrina is a very talented and versatile defender. Her technical ability, athleticism and understanding of the game make her a great fit, and she is very comfortable on the ball and building out of the back. Another quality that really stands out about her game is the physical presence she brings. She is very good at winning individual battles, in the air and on the ground, and thrives in the competitive aspect of the game. Sabrina brings talent and toughness to our program and I really look forward to her joining us."
KAYLA BUDISH – BROOKFIELD, WISCONSIN (BROOKFIELD CENTRAL HIGH)
A forward from Brookfield, Wisconsin, Kayla Budish attends Brookfield Central HS and plays for coach Daniel Makal, where she is a two-time conference leading scorer. In 2021 Budish earned All-America, first team all-state and first team all-conference honors while being named the conference player of the year. She helped her team to a conference title and was named to the first team all-conference team in 2019. With her club team, SC Wave under coach Giuliano Oliviero, Budish won the 2019 USYS national championship and was named the golden ball winner as the championship's top scorer. She is a five-time Wisconsin state champion and a 2021 girls academy league quarterfinalist. Additionally, Budish attended the U.S. Youth National Team U-20 regional ID event and the U-18 virtual meeting.
Budish is the No. 2-ranked recruit in the Midwest region and the No. 45-ranked recruit nationally, according to Top Drawer Soccer. Among forwards, she is No. 16 in the country.
A two-time basketball varsity letterwinner, Budish also played club softball until her sophomore year. She is a two-time scholar athlete, in basketball in 2020 and soccer in 2021.
Budish is undecided on her major at Purdue, and she would like to pursue a career in the medical field following graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Christine and John, and she has one brother and one sister.
Budish on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of the high academic standards that will allow me to get a top-tier education. When I stepped on campus, it immediately felt like home. Additionally, I love the culture that the players and coaches have built, and I am excited for where this program is headed and for the opportunity to compete for championships."
Roff on Budish: "Kayla is a special attacking player and one of the top goal scorers in the country. She has all the attributes of a top-class striker. She is dynamic and creative on the ball, she can hold the ball up and link play, and she does a fantastic job of timing her runs to get in behind the defense. Once she is in on goal, her composure and ability to finish make her a game changer. I look forward to Kayla making a tremendous impact on our program throughout her career."
BROOKE HAARALA – FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (FRAMINGHAM HIGH)
A Framingham, Massachusetts, native, Brooke Haarala is a forward who attends Framingham High and plays for coach Jennifer DeFusco. In her first full season in 2021, she was named to the all-state first team and the Eastern Mass All-Star First Team. She is a team captain and has been invited to play in the All-American Game in December. With the New England Futbol Club under coach Matthew Jones, Haarala helped her team qualify for the playoffs in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Haarala is the No. 2-ranked player in the Northeast region, the No. 36-ranked forward nationally and the No. 106 player overall by Top Drawer Soccer.
A National Honor Society member, Haarala earned high honor roll accolades every year at Framingham High. She also ran on the indoor track & field team for two years and was on the gymnastics team as a junior.
Haarala is undecided on her major, and she plans to have a career in science after graduating from Purdue and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Lori and Brett, and she has one sister.
Haarala on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of their amazing academic and soccer program. I visited campus for the first time in March, 2020, and knew I wanted to go to Purdue. I loved getting to meet the soccer coaches, staff and current players to hear all the wonderful things they had to say about the program. Along with their beautiful campus and student culture. I am so excited to be part of a Division I, Big Ten team while studying and discovering my future career."
Roff on Haarala: "Brooke is a dangerous attacking player with excellent technical ability and athleticism. She thrives in 1-v-1 scenarios, has some very good ideas in the final third, and is capable of finishing her chances equally well with her left or right foot. Like all top goal scorers at this level, Brooke also brings a tremendous competitive spirit and desire to score goals that you can't teach. I look forward to Brooke having an outstanding career at Purdue."
OLIVIA HALL – OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS (BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST HIGH)
Olivia Hall comes to Purdue from Overland Park, Kansas, where she is a student at Blue Valley Southwest High. As a defender for coach Erik Jones, Hall helped her team to a state finalist in her one high school season, and she was recognized with EKL honorable mention accolades. Hall plays for Sporting Blue Valley and is a defender for coach Tom Knox. She and her team qualified for the GA playoffs last season.
Academically, Hall earned the honors chemistry award and the principals honor roll.
Hall plans to major in chemistry at Purdue, and hopes to be a doctor following graduation and her playing career. Her parents are Anne and Michael, and she has two brothers.
Hall on Purdue: "I choose Purdue because I love the environment of the coaching staff and the girls on the team. On the times I visited, they made me feel as if I was already part of the team. Also, I love the location and campus."
Roff on Hall: "Olivia is a very athletic and physically tough defender that will be a great addition to our back line. Olivia has excellent pace and takes great pride in shutting down the opposition. That is a quality that is hard to teach, and we look forward to her bringing that mentality to our program. Olivia also is good on the ball and will fit in very well with our style of play that includes our backs bringing the ball out and building play. In and out of possession, Olivia brings some special qualities that will improve our team right away."
PEYTON HUNT – RICHARDSON, TEXAS (PEARCE HIGH)
A defender from Richardson, Texas, Peyton Hunt attends Pearce High and plays for coach Oscar Borgarello. At Pearce, Hunt earned first team all-district accolades and is a team captain. With the Sting Soccer Club and coach Trini Borunda, she made the ECNL Texas All-Conference team and helped her squad to a third-place finish at the ECNL Nationals in Virginia in 2018.
A National Honor Society member, Hunt also volunteered with the 'Chargers for Change' club.
Hunt intends to major in psychology, and aspires to have a career in forensics psychology upon graduating from Purdue and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Risa and Philip, and she has three sisters. Hunt's sister, Sydney, is currently a freshman on the Purdue soccer team. Peyton and Sydney will be the fifth set of sisters in program history to play together for the Boilermakers.
Hunt on Purdue: "Purdue was the first campus I visited that actually made me comfortable and gave me a sense of security. It helps that my sister attends school and plays soccer at Purdue, however, without her being in the picture, I still would have felt the way I do, which showed me that Purdue was the right fit for me. Purdue also is an academically-respected school that can offer me an exemplary education. All these qualities helped me make the decision to be inclined to attend school and play soccer at Purdue University."
Roff on Hunt: "Peyton is a very athletic center back that brings toughness and a great defensive presence to our roster. She anticipates well as a defender and excels in winning individual battles. Peyton also does a great job with her distribution when playing out of the back. She is willing to play the pass that breaks lines and eliminates defenders, and that is a quality that is very important when playing out of pressure. Peyton is a player with a great work rate and tremendous upside. I look forward to her continued development as a Boilermaker."
KAILEY KIMBALL – DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA (SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH)
Kailey Kimball is a goalkeeper from Danville, California, where she is a student at San Ramon Valley High and plays for coach Mark Jones. Kimball helped her team to 2019 NCS finals and CIF semifinals and is a three-year varsity starter. She earned EBAL All-League honorable mention accolades in 2020. Kimball also plays club soccer for Mustang SC and coach Mike Kelley, where she earned YNT Identification Center and PDP State Pool honors in 2019 and ECNL CSP Northwest Region accolades in 2019 and 2020. Kimball made a record 12 saves in 2021 while downing the defending national champions. She also played varsity basketball and coaches goalkeepers with her club.
Kimball would like to major in business and communications at Purdue, and she hopes to pursue a career in soccer after graduation. Her parents are Caity and Kevin, and she has twin sisters.
Kimball on Purdue: "From the moment I stepped onto Purdue's campus I realized everything that I was looking for was all here. I was drawn to the environment surrounding the University; and the supporting community that floods the streets on game days. Along with the wide variety of academic opportunities and school spirit, Purdue is in a small town that reminds me of home. I will forever love the feeling of being surrounded by the culture Purdue has to offer."
Roff on Kimball: "Kailey is a very talented goalkeeper that brings a commanding presence and calm confidence to the game. Her ability in the air, physical presence, safe hands and fearless goalkeeping style will suit the Big Ten very well. Kailey has shown her ability time and again to make game-changing saves. Amongst other qualities, she separates herself with the ability to organize her backline and make quality in-game decisions. Kailey has a very bright future and I look forward to her next four years in a Boilermaker uniform."
RILEY KNUDSEN – CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA (CARLSBAD HIGH)
From Carlsbad, California, Riley Knudsen is a student at Carlsbad High and is a defender for coach Katie Tarant. A team captain as a senior, Knudsen earned All-CIF First Team honors last season as a junior. With her club team, City SC Carlsbad and coach Courtney Drummond, she has served as team captain the last five years and was the team's leading scorer a year ago. Knudson has earned numerous Top XI Players accolades in DA and GA showcases by Top Drawer Soccer.
Knudsen is the No. 23-ranked recruit in the Southern California region and the No. 38 defender nationally, according to Top Drawer Soccer. Overall, she is No. 149 in the country.
An honor roll member each year, Knudsen was named the Rising Star of the Month by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and earned Royal Lancer honors for being in the top four percent of her class. Knudsen also plays high school volleyball.
Knudsen aspires to major in engineering at Purdue, and she is undecided on her future plans after graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Julie and Tobin, and she has one brother. Knudsen's father, Tobin, played volleyball and soccer at Rutgers, and her uncle, Alex, played volleyball at Long Beach State.
Knudsen on Purdue: "I am excited to attend Purdue because it is the entire package of everything a student-athlete could ask for. I love the people, the soccer program, the academics and the culture. The campus and the college town of West Lafayette are beautiful, and Purdue is excellent in all areas. This year, not only has their soccer program succeeded in the Big Ten but the football, volleyball, basketball, and other sports also have performed extremely well."
Roff on Knudsen: "Riley is a very talented center back that reads the game well, has very good pace and brings a physical presence to the game. Her ability to defend individually, be dominant in the air and also lead the back line are all qualities that help make Riley a standout. She also is very comfortable on the ball, has very good passing range, and she makes good decisions when building from the back. Riley's ability as a player, combined with her leadership potential, will help her become a tremendous asset to Purdue Soccer and I look forward to her arrival."
SAMANTHA PULLINS – GURNEE, ILLINOIS (WARREN TOWNSHIP HIGH)
Samantha Pullins is a midfielder from Gurnee, Illinois, who attends Warren Township High and plays for coach Ryan McCabe. Pullins earned all-conference, all-area and all-sectional team honors while helping her team to a regional championship as a junior, her only year of high school soccer. With the GLSA Libertyville FC 1974 Illinois club team and coach Srgjan Smileski, Pullins was a team captain and five-time Illinois state cup champion. Her team made the USYS Midwest Regional Semifinals in 2021, and she was named the conference's U17 club vs. club best XI player and the club vs. club champion in 2021. A national championship and regional qualifier in 2019-20, Pullins won a U16 division title in 2019-20, qualified for the national championship and won a regional title in 2017-18.
Pullins is the No. 11-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Pullins was named to the honor roll as a sophomore and junior at Warren Township.
Pullins is undecided on her major, but she would like to start her own business after receiving her Purdue degree and finishing her playing career. Her parents are Rachel King and Jeremy Pullins. She has several cousins who are collegiate athletes, as Katie Webb (Wells) played soccer at Indiana State, Tyler Negron played football at James Madison, Hunter Hickman wrestled at VMI, Riley Hickman ran cross country at DePauw and Eli Hickman played baseball at Concordia.
Pullins on Purdue: "Purdue became my top choice since I first saw the campus and facilities. While attending an ID camp, I just loved the team chemistry and bond the girls have. The coaches were amazing to work with and I know they will do a great job bringing out the best in me. Purdue will be challenging yet rewarding both academically and athletically. I want to be part of something special and believe I have found that at Purdue."
Roff on Pullins: "Sam is a versatile midfielder who brings some special qualities to the game. She is a very good athlete and has the technical ability we look for to play in the middle of the park. Her field vision, and her ability to play the final pass with proper weight and accuracy, are a great fit for the attacking style we like to play. If a forward makes a great run, Sam is willing and able to reward a great run with a great pass. She also is an intense competitor who will fit in very well with our team culture. I look forward to Sam joining our program and having a very successful career in the Old Gold and Black."
NAOMI SPLITTORFF – EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (FJ REITZ HIGH)
Evansville, Indiana, native Naomi Splittorff is a student at FJ Reitz High and is a forward for coach Jeremy Wolfe. A three-time first team all-city and all-conference honoree, Splittorff has been named to the first team all-district team four times. She earned second team all-state accolades in 2020, third team honors in 2019 and honorable mention distinction in 2018. Splittorff is a three-time varsity captain, two-time offensive MVP and FJ Reitz's all-time leader for assists. With FC Pride Soccer Club with coach Jamie Gilbert, Splittorff was a 2019 ECNL National Training Camp participant, a 2018 national selection game player and advanced to the ECNL Final Four in 2019. She won three Ohio Valley Conference titles, in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Splittorff is the No. 15-ranked recruit in the Great Lakes region according to Top Drawer Soccer.
A National Honor Society member, Splittorff earned academic all-city and academic all-state accolades twice. She also is a Youth Optimist Appreciation Week Award winner.
Splittorff would like to major in biomedical health sciences at Purdue, and she would like to go to medical school to become a critical care pulmonologist after graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Chenoa and Chris, and she has one brother. Her cousin, Jackie Young, plays in the WNBA for the Las Vegas Aces, is a 2021 3v3 women's basketball Olympic gold medalist and played basketball for Notre Dame from 2016-19.
Splittorff on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because it felt like home. I was able to be myself with not only the players, but the coaches as well. Their style of play and dynamics are perfect for me. I've been coming to Purdue soccer camps since I was in 7th grade and I have always felt welcomed and pursued. The relationship is mutual between me and the coaches, and that's what I love so much."
Roff on Splittorff: "Naomi is a very talented and creative forward that will bring some special qualities to our attack. She is very good in 1-v-1 situations, she combines well, and she has the technical ability and pace to be a constant threat to get in behind the defense. She also brings an excellent finishing touch, evidenced by scoring more than 100 goals during her high school career. Naomi also defends very well and has a tremendous work rate, which will allow us to put our opponents under intense pressure high on the field. I look forward to Naomi being a standout player and leader in our program throughout her career."
NATALIE THURSTON – GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS (GLENBROOK SOUTH HIGH)
A defender from Glenview, Illinois, Natalie Thurston is a student at Glenbrook South. She plays for Chicago FC United Academy and coach Fabrice Guatrat, where she is a team captain this season. Thurston also was a captain in 2016-17 for the 03 Illinois Olympic Development Team in 2016-17, where she earned all-region all-start team honors. A two-time 3v3 national champion in 2014, Thurston earned a top-25 ranking in the Midwest by Top Drawer Soccer.
Thurston is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Academically, she is a National Honor Society member and an Illinois State Scholar.
Thurston aspires to major in finance and is interested in a career in business after graduating from Purdue and concluding her playing career. Her parents are Camille Khodadad and James Thurston, and she has two sisters.
Thurston on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of its great academics and prestigious soccer program. Academically, Purdue has excellent opportunities that really cater to the student-athlete. From the soccer prospective, the program is representative of everything I wanted, from the coaching staff, culture and high level of play. Growing up outside Chicago, competing on the Big Ten stage has always been a dream of mine. I am so excited and humbled for this opportunity."
Roff on Thurston: "Natalie is an outside back that has all the qualities you look for in that position. She has very good pace, a great engine, and is a very good defender. She also is good on the ball and has a great attacking mentality when in possession. As a team that likes to utilize our outside backs in the attack, Natalie is an outstanding fit for how we play. I look forward to Natalie being a tremendous asset to our program on and off the field."
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This year's signing class features Sabrina Blount (Cedar Park, Texas), Kayla Budish (Brookfield, Wisconsin), Brooke Haarala (Framingham, Massachusetts), Olivia Hall (Overland Park, Kansas), Peyton Hunt (Richardson, Texas), Kailey Kimball (Danville, California), Riley Knudsen (Carlsbad, California), Samantha Pullins (Gurnee, Illinois), Naomi Splittorff (Evansville, Indiana) and Natalie Thurston (Glenview, Illinois).
The class is the No. 19-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
"There are a lot of reasons to be excited about our 2022 recruiting class," Roff said. "The talent level is very high, and every position on the pitch is represented. These ten student-athletes also fit in extremely well with our style of play and our team culture. This season we established ourselves as a top-25 program, and I have no doubt this class has what it takes to help Purdue Soccer continue to raise the bar and compete for championships."
The 2022 signing class hails from seven states, including two from California, Illinois and Texas, and one from Indiana. Featuring five defenders, three forwards, one midfielder and one goalkeeper, the class will arrive in West Lafayette and make their Folk Field debuts in the fall of 2022.
SABRINA BLOUNT – CEDAR PARK, TEXAS (CEDAR PARK HIGH)
Sabrina Blount is a defender from Cedar Park, Texas, and plays at Cedar Park High for coach Winston Pool. As she helped her team to a regional final in 2021, Blount was named the all-district defensive MVP and team newcomer of the year and she earned all-district first team honors. Blount also plays for Lonestar SC and coach Zack Pope, where she was team captain in 2019-20 and 2020-21 and scored eight goals in 2021.
A National Honor Society member and National Science Honor Society member, Blount is part of Mu Alpha Theta, an AP scholar and is in the top six percent of her class. She also is an FFA State Public Relations Competitor, a State Milk Quality and Products Competitor and has FFA Livestock Production Entrepreneurial Supervised Agricultural Experience.
Blount plans to major in animal sciences at Purdue, and she aspires to have a career as a large animal veterinarian after graduation and her playing career. Her parents are Jodi and Richard, and she has one brother and one sister.
Blount on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because the moment I stepped on campus I felt like I was home. The incredible soccer program with amazing coaches, a family-feel to the team and a school that provided an excellent agriculture department were the most important qualities to me. Purdue exceeded all of those ideals. I can't wait to be a part of such an amazing program!"
Roff on Blount: "Sabrina is a very talented and versatile defender. Her technical ability, athleticism and understanding of the game make her a great fit, and she is very comfortable on the ball and building out of the back. Another quality that really stands out about her game is the physical presence she brings. She is very good at winning individual battles, in the air and on the ground, and thrives in the competitive aspect of the game. Sabrina brings talent and toughness to our program and I really look forward to her joining us."
✍ Sabrina Blount is officially a Boilermaker!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 10, 2021
Welcome to the Purdue family, Sabrina!
📍 Cedar Park, Texas
⚽️ Defender
🏫 Cedar Park HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/MFD4PF2UOq
KAYLA BUDISH – BROOKFIELD, WISCONSIN (BROOKFIELD CENTRAL HIGH)
A forward from Brookfield, Wisconsin, Kayla Budish attends Brookfield Central HS and plays for coach Daniel Makal, where she is a two-time conference leading scorer. In 2021 Budish earned All-America, first team all-state and first team all-conference honors while being named the conference player of the year. She helped her team to a conference title and was named to the first team all-conference team in 2019. With her club team, SC Wave under coach Giuliano Oliviero, Budish won the 2019 USYS national championship and was named the golden ball winner as the championship's top scorer. She is a five-time Wisconsin state champion and a 2021 girls academy league quarterfinalist. Additionally, Budish attended the U.S. Youth National Team U-20 regional ID event and the U-18 virtual meeting.
Budish is the No. 2-ranked recruit in the Midwest region and the No. 45-ranked recruit nationally, according to Top Drawer Soccer. Among forwards, she is No. 16 in the country.
A two-time basketball varsity letterwinner, Budish also played club softball until her sophomore year. She is a two-time scholar athlete, in basketball in 2020 and soccer in 2021.
Budish is undecided on her major at Purdue, and she would like to pursue a career in the medical field following graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Christine and John, and she has one brother and one sister.
Budish on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of the high academic standards that will allow me to get a top-tier education. When I stepped on campus, it immediately felt like home. Additionally, I love the culture that the players and coaches have built, and I am excited for where this program is headed and for the opportunity to compete for championships."
Roff on Budish: "Kayla is a special attacking player and one of the top goal scorers in the country. She has all the attributes of a top-class striker. She is dynamic and creative on the ball, she can hold the ball up and link play, and she does a fantastic job of timing her runs to get in behind the defense. Once she is in on goal, her composure and ability to finish make her a game changer. I look forward to Kayla making a tremendous impact on our program throughout her career."
✍ Kayla Budish has committed to Purdue!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
Boilermaker Nation, help us welcome Kayla to the family!
📍 Brookfield, Wisconsin
⚽️ Forward
🏫 Brookfield Central HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eXK5ZlbX5s
BROOKE HAARALA – FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (FRAMINGHAM HIGH)
A Framingham, Massachusetts, native, Brooke Haarala is a forward who attends Framingham High and plays for coach Jennifer DeFusco. In her first full season in 2021, she was named to the all-state first team and the Eastern Mass All-Star First Team. She is a team captain and has been invited to play in the All-American Game in December. With the New England Futbol Club under coach Matthew Jones, Haarala helped her team qualify for the playoffs in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Haarala is the No. 2-ranked player in the Northeast region, the No. 36-ranked forward nationally and the No. 106 player overall by Top Drawer Soccer.
A National Honor Society member, Haarala earned high honor roll accolades every year at Framingham High. She also ran on the indoor track & field team for two years and was on the gymnastics team as a junior.
Haarala is undecided on her major, and she plans to have a career in science after graduating from Purdue and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Lori and Brett, and she has one sister.
Haarala on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of their amazing academic and soccer program. I visited campus for the first time in March, 2020, and knew I wanted to go to Purdue. I loved getting to meet the soccer coaches, staff and current players to hear all the wonderful things they had to say about the program. Along with their beautiful campus and student culture. I am so excited to be part of a Division I, Big Ten team while studying and discovering my future career."
Roff on Haarala: "Brooke is a dangerous attacking player with excellent technical ability and athleticism. She thrives in 1-v-1 scenarios, has some very good ideas in the final third, and is capable of finishing her chances equally well with her left or right foot. Like all top goal scorers at this level, Brooke also brings a tremendous competitive spirit and desire to score goals that you can't teach. I look forward to Brooke having an outstanding career at Purdue."
✍ Next Stop, Folk Field!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 10, 2021
We are excited to have Brooke Haarala join the Boilermakers!
📍 Framingham, Massachusetts
⚽️ Forward
🏫 Framingham HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rM2jw2YtT8
OLIVIA HALL – OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS (BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST HIGH)
Olivia Hall comes to Purdue from Overland Park, Kansas, where she is a student at Blue Valley Southwest High. As a defender for coach Erik Jones, Hall helped her team to a state finalist in her one high school season, and she was recognized with EKL honorable mention accolades. Hall plays for Sporting Blue Valley and is a defender for coach Tom Knox. She and her team qualified for the GA playoffs last season.
Academically, Hall earned the honors chemistry award and the principals honor roll.
Hall plans to major in chemistry at Purdue, and hopes to be a doctor following graduation and her playing career. Her parents are Anne and Michael, and she has two brothers.
Hall on Purdue: "I choose Purdue because I love the environment of the coaching staff and the girls on the team. On the times I visited, they made me feel as if I was already part of the team. Also, I love the location and campus."
Roff on Hall: "Olivia is a very athletic and physically tough defender that will be a great addition to our back line. Olivia has excellent pace and takes great pride in shutting down the opposition. That is a quality that is hard to teach, and we look forward to her bringing that mentality to our program. Olivia also is good on the ball and will fit in very well with our style of play that includes our backs bringing the ball out and building play. In and out of possession, Olivia brings some special qualities that will improve our team right away."
✍ Coming soon to West Lafayette!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
Olivia Hall, welcome to the Boilermaker family!
📍 Overland Park, Kansas
⚽️ Defender
🏫 Blue Valley Southwest HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/vXKUdYtNQb
PEYTON HUNT – RICHARDSON, TEXAS (PEARCE HIGH)
A defender from Richardson, Texas, Peyton Hunt attends Pearce High and plays for coach Oscar Borgarello. At Pearce, Hunt earned first team all-district accolades and is a team captain. With the Sting Soccer Club and coach Trini Borunda, she made the ECNL Texas All-Conference team and helped her squad to a third-place finish at the ECNL Nationals in Virginia in 2018.
A National Honor Society member, Hunt also volunteered with the 'Chargers for Change' club.
Hunt intends to major in psychology, and aspires to have a career in forensics psychology upon graduating from Purdue and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Risa and Philip, and she has three sisters. Hunt's sister, Sydney, is currently a freshman on the Purdue soccer team. Peyton and Sydney will be the fifth set of sisters in program history to play together for the Boilermakers.
Hunt on Purdue: "Purdue was the first campus I visited that actually made me comfortable and gave me a sense of security. It helps that my sister attends school and plays soccer at Purdue, however, without her being in the picture, I still would have felt the way I do, which showed me that Purdue was the right fit for me. Purdue also is an academically-respected school that can offer me an exemplary education. All these qualities helped me make the decision to be inclined to attend school and play soccer at Purdue University."
Roff on Hunt: "Peyton is a very athletic center back that brings toughness and a great defensive presence to our roster. She anticipates well as a defender and excels in winning individual battles. Peyton also does a great job with her distribution when playing out of the back. She is willing to play the pass that breaks lines and eliminates defenders, and that is a quality that is very important when playing out of pressure. Peyton is a player with a great work rate and tremendous upside. I look forward to her continued development as a Boilermaker."
✍ Peyton Hunt has signed to be the newest Boilermaker!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
Help us welcome Peyton to the Purdue family!
📍 Richardson, Texas
⚽️ Defender
🏫 Pearce HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sHCoJEBeV6
KAILEY KIMBALL – DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA (SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH)
Kailey Kimball is a goalkeeper from Danville, California, where she is a student at San Ramon Valley High and plays for coach Mark Jones. Kimball helped her team to 2019 NCS finals and CIF semifinals and is a three-year varsity starter. She earned EBAL All-League honorable mention accolades in 2020. Kimball also plays club soccer for Mustang SC and coach Mike Kelley, where she earned YNT Identification Center and PDP State Pool honors in 2019 and ECNL CSP Northwest Region accolades in 2019 and 2020. Kimball made a record 12 saves in 2021 while downing the defending national champions. She also played varsity basketball and coaches goalkeepers with her club.
Kimball would like to major in business and communications at Purdue, and she hopes to pursue a career in soccer after graduation. Her parents are Caity and Kevin, and she has twin sisters.
Kimball on Purdue: "From the moment I stepped onto Purdue's campus I realized everything that I was looking for was all here. I was drawn to the environment surrounding the University; and the supporting community that floods the streets on game days. Along with the wide variety of academic opportunities and school spirit, Purdue is in a small town that reminds me of home. I will forever love the feeling of being surrounded by the culture Purdue has to offer."
Roff on Kimball: "Kailey is a very talented goalkeeper that brings a commanding presence and calm confidence to the game. Her ability in the air, physical presence, safe hands and fearless goalkeeping style will suit the Big Ten very well. Kailey has shown her ability time and again to make game-changing saves. Amongst other qualities, she separates herself with the ability to organize her backline and make quality in-game decisions. Kailey has a very bright future and I look forward to her next four years in a Boilermaker uniform."
✍ Ready to wear the Old Gold and Black!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 10, 2021
Kailey Kimball is a Boilermaker, welcome to the family!
📍 Danville, California
⚽️ Goalkeeper
🏫 San Ramon Valley HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HHTwQDKBhE
RILEY KNUDSEN – CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA (CARLSBAD HIGH)
From Carlsbad, California, Riley Knudsen is a student at Carlsbad High and is a defender for coach Katie Tarant. A team captain as a senior, Knudsen earned All-CIF First Team honors last season as a junior. With her club team, City SC Carlsbad and coach Courtney Drummond, she has served as team captain the last five years and was the team's leading scorer a year ago. Knudson has earned numerous Top XI Players accolades in DA and GA showcases by Top Drawer Soccer.
Knudsen is the No. 23-ranked recruit in the Southern California region and the No. 38 defender nationally, according to Top Drawer Soccer. Overall, she is No. 149 in the country.
An honor roll member each year, Knudsen was named the Rising Star of the Month by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and earned Royal Lancer honors for being in the top four percent of her class. Knudsen also plays high school volleyball.
Knudsen aspires to major in engineering at Purdue, and she is undecided on her future plans after graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Julie and Tobin, and she has one brother. Knudsen's father, Tobin, played volleyball and soccer at Rutgers, and her uncle, Alex, played volleyball at Long Beach State.
Knudsen on Purdue: "I am excited to attend Purdue because it is the entire package of everything a student-athlete could ask for. I love the people, the soccer program, the academics and the culture. The campus and the college town of West Lafayette are beautiful, and Purdue is excellent in all areas. This year, not only has their soccer program succeeded in the Big Ten but the football, volleyball, basketball, and other sports also have performed extremely well."
Roff on Knudsen: "Riley is a very talented center back that reads the game well, has very good pace and brings a physical presence to the game. Her ability to defend individually, be dominant in the air and also lead the back line are all qualities that help make Riley a standout. She also is very comfortable on the ball, has very good passing range, and she makes good decisions when building from the back. Riley's ability as a player, combined with her leadership potential, will help her become a tremendous asset to Purdue Soccer and I look forward to her arrival."
✍ Riley Knudsen is Purdue bound!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
We are excited to have Riley join the Boilermaker family!
📍 Carlsbad, California
⚽️ Defender
🏫 Carlsbad HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gIJ8nbEX1v
SAMANTHA PULLINS – GURNEE, ILLINOIS (WARREN TOWNSHIP HIGH)
Samantha Pullins is a midfielder from Gurnee, Illinois, who attends Warren Township High and plays for coach Ryan McCabe. Pullins earned all-conference, all-area and all-sectional team honors while helping her team to a regional championship as a junior, her only year of high school soccer. With the GLSA Libertyville FC 1974 Illinois club team and coach Srgjan Smileski, Pullins was a team captain and five-time Illinois state cup champion. Her team made the USYS Midwest Regional Semifinals in 2021, and she was named the conference's U17 club vs. club best XI player and the club vs. club champion in 2021. A national championship and regional qualifier in 2019-20, Pullins won a U16 division title in 2019-20, qualified for the national championship and won a regional title in 2017-18.
Pullins is the No. 11-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Pullins was named to the honor roll as a sophomore and junior at Warren Township.
Pullins is undecided on her major, but she would like to start her own business after receiving her Purdue degree and finishing her playing career. Her parents are Rachel King and Jeremy Pullins. She has several cousins who are collegiate athletes, as Katie Webb (Wells) played soccer at Indiana State, Tyler Negron played football at James Madison, Hunter Hickman wrestled at VMI, Riley Hickman ran cross country at DePauw and Eli Hickman played baseball at Concordia.
Pullins on Purdue: "Purdue became my top choice since I first saw the campus and facilities. While attending an ID camp, I just loved the team chemistry and bond the girls have. The coaches were amazing to work with and I know they will do a great job bringing out the best in me. Purdue will be challenging yet rewarding both academically and athletically. I want to be part of something special and believe I have found that at Purdue."
Roff on Pullins: "Sam is a versatile midfielder who brings some special qualities to the game. She is a very good athlete and has the technical ability we look for to play in the middle of the park. Her field vision, and her ability to play the final pass with proper weight and accuracy, are a great fit for the attacking style we like to play. If a forward makes a great run, Sam is willing and able to reward a great run with a great pass. She also is an intense competitor who will fit in very well with our team culture. I look forward to Sam joining our program and having a very successful career in the Old Gold and Black."
✍ Samantha Pullins has committed to be a Boilermaker!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 10, 2021
Welcome to Purdue, Samantha!
📍 Gurnee, Illinois
⚽️ Midfielder
🏫 Warren Township HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/6J4wXyCIEG
NAOMI SPLITTORFF – EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (FJ REITZ HIGH)
Evansville, Indiana, native Naomi Splittorff is a student at FJ Reitz High and is a forward for coach Jeremy Wolfe. A three-time first team all-city and all-conference honoree, Splittorff has been named to the first team all-district team four times. She earned second team all-state accolades in 2020, third team honors in 2019 and honorable mention distinction in 2018. Splittorff is a three-time varsity captain, two-time offensive MVP and FJ Reitz's all-time leader for assists. With FC Pride Soccer Club with coach Jamie Gilbert, Splittorff was a 2019 ECNL National Training Camp participant, a 2018 national selection game player and advanced to the ECNL Final Four in 2019. She won three Ohio Valley Conference titles, in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Splittorff is the No. 15-ranked recruit in the Great Lakes region according to Top Drawer Soccer.
A National Honor Society member, Splittorff earned academic all-city and academic all-state accolades twice. She also is a Youth Optimist Appreciation Week Award winner.
Splittorff would like to major in biomedical health sciences at Purdue, and she would like to go to medical school to become a critical care pulmonologist after graduation and the conclusion of her playing career. Her parents are Chenoa and Chris, and she has one brother. Her cousin, Jackie Young, plays in the WNBA for the Las Vegas Aces, is a 2021 3v3 women's basketball Olympic gold medalist and played basketball for Notre Dame from 2016-19.
Splittorff on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because it felt like home. I was able to be myself with not only the players, but the coaches as well. Their style of play and dynamics are perfect for me. I've been coming to Purdue soccer camps since I was in 7th grade and I have always felt welcomed and pursued. The relationship is mutual between me and the coaches, and that's what I love so much."
Roff on Splittorff: "Naomi is a very talented and creative forward that will bring some special qualities to our attack. She is very good in 1-v-1 situations, she combines well, and she has the technical ability and pace to be a constant threat to get in behind the defense. She also brings an excellent finishing touch, evidenced by scoring more than 100 goals during her high school career. Naomi also defends very well and has a tremendous work rate, which will allow us to put our opponents under intense pressure high on the field. I look forward to Naomi being a standout player and leader in our program throughout her career."
✍ Naomi Splittorff is staying home!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
From Evansville to West Lafayette, welcome to the family, Naomi!
📍 Evansville, Indiana
⚽️ Forward
🏫 FJ Reitz HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Qv5YBOcNWt
NATALIE THURSTON – GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS (GLENBROOK SOUTH HIGH)
A defender from Glenview, Illinois, Natalie Thurston is a student at Glenbrook South. She plays for Chicago FC United Academy and coach Fabrice Guatrat, where she is a team captain this season. Thurston also was a captain in 2016-17 for the 03 Illinois Olympic Development Team in 2016-17, where she earned all-region all-start team honors. A two-time 3v3 national champion in 2014, Thurston earned a top-25 ranking in the Midwest by Top Drawer Soccer.
Thurston is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Academically, she is a National Honor Society member and an Illinois State Scholar.
Thurston aspires to major in finance and is interested in a career in business after graduating from Purdue and concluding her playing career. Her parents are Camille Khodadad and James Thurston, and she has two sisters.
Thurston on Purdue: "I chose Purdue because of its great academics and prestigious soccer program. Academically, Purdue has excellent opportunities that really cater to the student-athlete. From the soccer prospective, the program is representative of everything I wanted, from the coaching staff, culture and high level of play. Growing up outside Chicago, competing on the Big Ten stage has always been a dream of mine. I am so excited and humbled for this opportunity."
Roff on Thurston: "Natalie is an outside back that has all the qualities you look for in that position. She has very good pace, a great engine, and is a very good defender. She also is good on the ball and has a great attacking mentality when in possession. As a team that likes to utilize our outside backs in the attack, Natalie is an outstanding fit for how we play. I look forward to Natalie being a tremendous asset to our program on and off the field."
✍ Signed to be a Boilermaker!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 11, 2021
We are excited to have Natalie Thurston join the family!
📍 Glenview, Illinois
⚽️ Defender
🏫 Glenbrook South HS#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1xqhRZCmLW
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.