RULIFFSON, SALANOA ADDED TO SDSU SOCCER ROSTER

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BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State soccer head coach Brock Thompson announced Thursday that transfers Emery Ruliffson and Xeyana Salanoa have signed their paperwork and will join the Jackrabbit program ahead of the 2026 season.

Ruliffson joins South Dakota State after spending her first two years of college eligibility at Kansas City. Salanoa makes her way to Brookings following her first academic year in college at Western Oregon.

"We're thrilled to welcome Emery and Xeyana to our Jackrabbit Family," Thompson said. "Both of them provide talent and depth at positions of need for us this upcoming year and for seasons to come. They will not only be great additions on the pitch, but will also be significant additions to maintaining the culture of SDSU soccer."

Emery Ruliffson | 5-6 | D/MF | R-So. | Manhattan, Kan. | Manhattan HS | Kansas City
Ruliffson spent her first two years of her college career at Summit League foe Kansas City. This past season saw Ruliffson start in the team's first four matches before her year ended due to a season-ending injury.

In 2024, Ruliffson was an All-Summit Newcomer Team performer as a freshman. That season saw her make 17 starts across 18 matches played. She ranked second on the team with 1,496 minutes compete and played the full 90 minutes on 11 occasions. She ended the season second on the team in assists (four), third in shots (31) and fifth in shots on goal (8).

Prior to her time with the Roos, Ruliffson was a two-time Second Team All-State performer for Manhattan High School in Kansas. She also was a first team all-conference selection twice and a second team All-Centennial League honoree as a sophomore. She combined for 39 goals across her junior and senior prep seasons.

"Having competed against Emery, we know the competitor and quality player that she is," Thompson said. "We're excited to add her experience and skill set to our roster for the fall."

Xeyana Salanoa | 5-9 | GK | So. | Honolulu, Hawaii | Punahou School | Western Oregon
Salanoa attended Division II Western Oregon and appeared in three matches for the Wolves last fall.

She joined Western Oregon following a decorated high school career. Salanoa was the 2024-25 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Soccer Player of the Year following a tremendous senior campaign. She led the Buf 'n Blue to an 11-2 record in the spring of 2025 en route to the squad's third straight Division I state championship. She surrendered just five goals and posted eight shutouts on the year. She logged back-to-back clean sheets in the state semifinals and finals. Also named the Honolulu Star Advertiser Player of the Year, she was one of 12 athletes across the state selected to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association's Class of 2025 Hall of Honor.

She was a three-year starter at keeper for Punahou School while serving as a team captain. Salanoa was chosen as ScoringLive's 2025 Defensive Player of the Year and picked to the All-State First Team that season. She was a Second Team All-Hawaii choice as a sophomore.

Salanoa has also been a standout outside her time with her high school. She has competed on the Samoa Women's National Team during the OFC Women's Nation's Cup along with previously playing on the Samoan Women's U20 National Team. Her older sister, Xehlia, is currently a redshirt sophomore this upcoming season on the SDSU roster.

"It's not every day that you can add a goalkeeper with the accomplishments that Yana has," Thompson said. "More than that, we are confident that she is the right goalkeeper to add to our goalkeeping group which has such a storied history."

The South Dakota State soccer team will commence with preparation for the upcoming 2026 season with student-athletes reporting for practice in July.

-GoJacks.com-

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Upcoming Events

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Players Mentioned

Emery Ruliffson

Xeyana Salanoa

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at South Dakota on September 24, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus North Dakota on September 27, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at North Dakota State on October 4, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Oral Roberts on October 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Kansas City on October 11, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at St. Thomas on October 15, 2026 at TBD

Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Northern State on April 19, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Sioux Falls on April 15, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Augustana on April 9, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Minnesota on March 28, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Nebraska on March 7, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Alumni Game on March 1, 2026 ,

South Dakota State University Athletics