Dynamic duo: Shaker's Puls twins choose Bryant University for college lacrosse

Kiera and Kinley Puls were sought after individually and as a pair during their college lacrosse recruitment. In the end, the twin sisters, who have excelled for two seasons competing side by side at Shaker, decided that staying together at the collegiate level was the right move.

The sister tandem has given Bryant University coach Eileen Ferry their oral commitments to compete for the Bulldogs of the America East Conference. Ferry, the 2025 America East Coach of the Year, led Bryant to regular season titles in 2025 and 2026.

"Most of the schools reached out to both of us to come together, but some didn't," said Kiera Puls, a 2026 Times Union first-team all-star as a draw specialist who won 239 times. "When we tried to figure out what was best, we both thought it was Bryant."

"I initially had my mind set that I wanted to go south," Kinley Puls said. "(Kiera) liked being up here and I thought, 'What are we going to do without each other?' We have always been together."

Ferry made the offer to both twins. They took a couple of days to ultimately decide to compete together for the Bulldogs.

"Having that chemistry already and knowing someone so well, Coach Ferry was talking about having both of us and how well we would fit in together," Kiera Puls said.

Kinley Puls said there were a few days right before the sisters decided to stay together where they pondered the possibility of being apart in college, but she added, "We were riding in the car and looked at each other and said, 'We're going to Bryant, right?' … As we went on other visits, nothing compared to Bryant. Coach Ferry and all of the coaches had everything set up and were so much more organized than everyone else. I realized it was the best fit for me."

"They are going to do an incredible job in college," Shaker coach Joe Pollicino said. "What they have been able to do during their first two years on the varsity has been very impressive. I am interested to see what they are going to do going forward with the other (12) players we have coming back."

Shaker, with a 2026 squad featuring 11 sophomores paced by the Puls' sisters, captured its first sectional title in 10 years by defeating Shenendehowa in the Section 2 Class A championship and finished 16-4 overall.

"What they have done is impressive," Pollicino said of the twins. "The two of them had a great year for us last year, helping lead us to heights I don't think we would have gotten to without them. Kiera at the draw got us a lot of extra possessions, which was important. Kinley, who, for us being in a low lefty spot, enhanced the offense and created so many opportunities for Libby (Gialanella) and Tessa (Carroll). That was great as well."

"Playing against so many amazing girls and such high-level competition has really helped me improve," said Kiera Puls, "especially taking the draw against some tough girls definitely helped me."

Kiera Puls tallied 26 goals and 44 assists as a sophomore, while Kinley Puls has already surpassed 150 career points in two years on the varsity. The juniors are looking forward to the upcoming season and what they can accomplish at Shaker.

"It is such a relief now," said Kinley Puls, "to just be able to play and not worry about who is watching."