Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus St. Thomas on November 6, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 3 , 2OT
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FINAL
Women's Soccer
2
(2OT)
vs St. Thomas
3
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South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia Sports Media
11/12/2026 10:16:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BROOKINGS, S.D. — The South Dakota State soccer program received financial aid agreements from seven incoming student-athletes that will join the Jackrabbits for the 2027-28 academic year as the signing period opened yesterday. SDSU's signing class features Kaile'a Ariola (Honolulu, Hawaii), Tatum Campa (Marquette, Neb.), Darby D'Amico (Anchorage, Alaska), Caroline Garinger (Elkhorn, Neb.), Ava Holzwarth (Rapid City, S.D.), Alexandra Merriam (Evanston, Ill.), Emily Pegg (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).
"Today is a great day to be a Jackrabbit," said South Dakota State head coach Brock Thompson. "We add a diverse group of players including two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards and a wide player from five different states, as well as Canada. As diverse as they are on the field, and where they're from, they're aligned in their drive to be the best version of themselves and help take Jackrabbit soccer to the next level."
Kaile'a Ariola | MF | 5-6 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Kamehameha Schools
Kaile'a Ariola joins the Jackrabbits with a winning pedigree as she prepares for her senior season of soccer.
Ariola has been a three-year varsity contributor to the Kamehameha Kapalama girls soccer team. Last season, the Warriors went 15-1 and captured the Hawaii Division I State Championship. Ariola has been a standout for Kamehameha as she's previously averaged two goals per game as a sophomore and averaged nearly two assists per game a season ago. She's also been active on the club circuit, compete for the Leahi Premier 09 Girls GA team for multiple seasons. Ariola plans to major in political science.
Tatum Campa | W | 5-3 | Marquette, Neb. | Central City High School
Tatum Campa has been a multiple sport standout at Central City High School.
She's previously earned a player of the year award while claiming all-conference accolades a season ago. She was her high school team's leader in goals in 2026 after previously scoring nearly 10 goals the year prior as a sophomore. She's also been active in club soccer competing for Sporting Nebraska FC. Along with her soccer career, she's been active for the Bison in track and field. Last spring, Campa qualified for the Nebraska Class B State Championships in the 100- and 200-meter runs, along with taking sixth place on the Central City 4x400 relay team. Campa, who plans to major in psychology at South Dakota State, has been an Honor Roll and Academic Letter recipient each year of her prep career.
Darby D'Amico | D | 5-4 | Anchorage, Alaska | South Anchorage High School
Darby D'Amico is a multiple sport standout for South Anchorage High School.
D'Amico's soccer tenure has seen success in both her high school and club showings. D'Amico has helped her prep team earn two straight state titles, which included a 20-0 record last spring. A three-year member of her varsity program, D'Amico recorded eight goals and nine assists as a junior. She's been a two-time all-conference selection. Her time on the club circuit saw her squad qualify for the 2024 national championships, finish as a semifinalist in 2025 and claim a USYS National Championship in the summer of 2026. D'Amico made the Best 11 team at both the national league quarterfinals and semifinals in 2025. She received the Golden Ball Award at the 2026 USYS National Championships.
D'Amico has also been active in flag football and track and field for the Wolverines. She's played three years of varsity flag football, earning all-conference honors twice before earning her conference's Offensive Player of the Year award as a senior. On South Anchorage's track and field team, D'Amico has been a state qualifier in the long jump, triple jump and 4x100 relay.
An expected nursing major at South Dakota State, D'Amico has been an Honor Roll student at South Anchorage. She's also been involved in Student Government and is her Class Vice President. Her mother, Brittany, played soccer at Boise State. Her dad, Anthony, wrestled for Oklahoma State and Boise State.
Caroline Garinger | D/M | 5-5 | Elkhorn, Neb. | Elkhorn South High School
Caroline Garinger has been a three-year standout at Elkhorn South High School prior to her senior season.
Garinger is a center defensive midfielder for the Storm. She's been a starter for three seasons and has combined to score five goals and dish out nine assists for Elkhorn South. Last season, Garinger helped lead Eklhorn South to an appearance in the Nebraska High School Class A State Championship game. Garinger was chosen to the All-Nebraska Second Team for her performance as a junior, as well as claiming All-State Class A First Team and All-Metro First Team accolades. The year prior, Elkhorn South advanced to the state semifinals.
Her club tenure includes a 2025 ECNL North American Cup championship. She was a 2024 ECNL Midwest All-Conference Second Team selection, while she was honored as the 2023 GEA Young Girls Player of the Year.
Garinger, who has been on her school's Honor Roll each year of her prep career, plans to major in psychology at South Dakota State.
Ava Holzwarth | F | 5-6 | Rapid City, S.D. | Rapid City Stevens High School
Ava Holzwarth joins the program from across the state after completing a memorable prep soccer career at Rapid City Stevens High School.
Holzwarth was a four-year member of Stevens' varsity program and served as a two-year captain. She was her team's Golden Boot performer three straight years as she set the school's single season scoring record three straight seasons scoring 23, 43 and 45 points, respectively. She became just the second girl in South Dakota high school history to reach the century mark in goals scored during a high school career this fall and finished with 104.
A three-time First Team All-State Performer, Holzwarth was the 2026 South Dakota Class AA Player of the Year. She previously helped lead Stevens to a state runner-up finish in 2024. She was named to the 'Best of Black Hills' girls soccer team in 2024 and was the winner in 2025.
She's been a standout on the club circuit as well. She was a member of the 2025 and 2026 U19 NPL National Championship teams, as well as a member of the Colorado Rapids' ECNL U17 and U19 teams. She received an invitation to try out for the 2025 U19 national team while she's also been garnered as a Rapid City Sports Commission Athlete of the Month.
Holzwarth's athleticism has translated to track and field. She's been a First Team All-State performer three times. She holds her school's records in the long jump, 200-meter run, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay, while she sits fourth in the 100 and seventh in the triple jump. Holzwarth has earned a state title in the long jump individually, helped multiple relay teams earned state championships, and made the state podium in the 100. She completed the second longest long jump in state history last spring (19 feet, 10.25 inches) while the Raiders earned the state championship in 2026.
An expected nursing major, Holzwarth is active in her school's FCA and National Honor Society. She has been named the Stevens Athlete of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. Her father, Michael, competed in basketball at Jamestown, while her mother, Greta, competed in track at Wyoming.
Alexandra Merriam | F | 5-1 | Evanston, Ill. | Evanston Township High School
Alexandra Merriam brings both high school and international experience to the Jackrabbits.
Merriam has earned a regional championship in 2025, an Illinois State Cup Championship that same year as well as a USYS National Championship in 2026. Her 2025 high school season saw her record 14 goals and six assists. Last spring saw her spending time playing internationally with the Honduras U17 and U19 teams. In the Concacaf U-17 Qualifier for the FIFA World Cup at the same level, Merriam scored a team-high seven goals to go along with four assists. She's currently competed in the 2026 UNCAF FIFA Forward Women's U-19 Tournament in Panama for Honduras.
Merriam's sister, Adrianna, currently plays for Baylor soccer. Merriam plans to study entrepreneurial studies at South Dakota State.
Emily Pegg | D | 5-7 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Aden Bowman Collegiate
Emily Pegg joins South Dakota State as a standout nationally in Canada.
Pegg has served as a multiple year captain while competing at a variety of levels. She scored a combined 30 goals, despite playing off the back line, during her prep career. In her club experience, she's participated in the Top 60 showcase in Ontario for FTF, as well as competed in Montreal for the National Development Centre Tournament for the Canada selects team. In 2024, she was chosen as the Young MVP and to the Starting 11 at the FTF Showcase. That year saw her ranked as the 21st recruit for all 2027 graduates in Canada by FTF. In 2025, Pegg claimed a Starting 11 award at the Vancouver Whitecaps Showcase.
Pegg has been on her high school's Academic Honor Roll each year of her prep career. The Saskatoon native plans to major in nursing at South Dakota State.
"Today is a great day to be a Jackrabbit," said South Dakota State head coach Brock Thompson. "We add a diverse group of players including two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards and a wide player from five different states, as well as Canada. As diverse as they are on the field, and where they're from, they're aligned in their drive to be the best version of themselves and help take Jackrabbit soccer to the next level."
Kaile'a Ariola | MF | 5-6 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Kamehameha Schools
Kaile'a Ariola joins the Jackrabbits with a winning pedigree as she prepares for her senior season of soccer.
Ariola has been a three-year varsity contributor to the Kamehameha Kapalama girls soccer team. Last season, the Warriors went 15-1 and captured the Hawaii Division I State Championship. Ariola has been a standout for Kamehameha as she's previously averaged two goals per game as a sophomore and averaged nearly two assists per game a season ago. She's also been active on the club circuit, compete for the Leahi Premier 09 Girls GA team for multiple seasons. Ariola plans to major in political science.
Tatum Campa | W | 5-3 | Marquette, Neb. | Central City High School
Tatum Campa has been a multiple sport standout at Central City High School.
She's previously earned a player of the year award while claiming all-conference accolades a season ago. She was her high school team's leader in goals in 2026 after previously scoring nearly 10 goals the year prior as a sophomore. She's also been active in club soccer competing for Sporting Nebraska FC. Along with her soccer career, she's been active for the Bison in track and field. Last spring, Campa qualified for the Nebraska Class B State Championships in the 100- and 200-meter runs, along with taking sixth place on the Central City 4x400 relay team. Campa, who plans to major in psychology at South Dakota State, has been an Honor Roll and Academic Letter recipient each year of her prep career.
Darby D'Amico | D | 5-4 | Anchorage, Alaska | South Anchorage High School
Darby D'Amico is a multiple sport standout for South Anchorage High School.
D'Amico's soccer tenure has seen success in both her high school and club showings. D'Amico has helped her prep team earn two straight state titles, which included a 20-0 record last spring. A three-year member of her varsity program, D'Amico recorded eight goals and nine assists as a junior. She's been a two-time all-conference selection. Her time on the club circuit saw her squad qualify for the 2024 national championships, finish as a semifinalist in 2025 and claim a USYS National Championship in the summer of 2026. D'Amico made the Best 11 team at both the national league quarterfinals and semifinals in 2025. She received the Golden Ball Award at the 2026 USYS National Championships.
D'Amico has also been active in flag football and track and field for the Wolverines. She's played three years of varsity flag football, earning all-conference honors twice before earning her conference's Offensive Player of the Year award as a senior. On South Anchorage's track and field team, D'Amico has been a state qualifier in the long jump, triple jump and 4x100 relay.
An expected nursing major at South Dakota State, D'Amico has been an Honor Roll student at South Anchorage. She's also been involved in Student Government and is her Class Vice President. Her mother, Brittany, played soccer at Boise State. Her dad, Anthony, wrestled for Oklahoma State and Boise State.
Caroline Garinger | D/M | 5-5 | Elkhorn, Neb. | Elkhorn South High School
Caroline Garinger has been a three-year standout at Elkhorn South High School prior to her senior season.
Garinger is a center defensive midfielder for the Storm. She's been a starter for three seasons and has combined to score five goals and dish out nine assists for Elkhorn South. Last season, Garinger helped lead Eklhorn South to an appearance in the Nebraska High School Class A State Championship game. Garinger was chosen to the All-Nebraska Second Team for her performance as a junior, as well as claiming All-State Class A First Team and All-Metro First Team accolades. The year prior, Elkhorn South advanced to the state semifinals.
Her club tenure includes a 2025 ECNL North American Cup championship. She was a 2024 ECNL Midwest All-Conference Second Team selection, while she was honored as the 2023 GEA Young Girls Player of the Year.
Garinger, who has been on her school's Honor Roll each year of her prep career, plans to major in psychology at South Dakota State.
Ava Holzwarth | F | 5-6 | Rapid City, S.D. | Rapid City Stevens High School
Ava Holzwarth joins the program from across the state after completing a memorable prep soccer career at Rapid City Stevens High School.
Holzwarth was a four-year member of Stevens' varsity program and served as a two-year captain. She was her team's Golden Boot performer three straight years as she set the school's single season scoring record three straight seasons scoring 23, 43 and 45 points, respectively. She became just the second girl in South Dakota high school history to reach the century mark in goals scored during a high school career this fall and finished with 104.
A three-time First Team All-State Performer, Holzwarth was the 2026 South Dakota Class AA Player of the Year. She previously helped lead Stevens to a state runner-up finish in 2024. She was named to the 'Best of Black Hills' girls soccer team in 2024 and was the winner in 2025.
She's been a standout on the club circuit as well. She was a member of the 2025 and 2026 U19 NPL National Championship teams, as well as a member of the Colorado Rapids' ECNL U17 and U19 teams. She received an invitation to try out for the 2025 U19 national team while she's also been garnered as a Rapid City Sports Commission Athlete of the Month.
Holzwarth's athleticism has translated to track and field. She's been a First Team All-State performer three times. She holds her school's records in the long jump, 200-meter run, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay, while she sits fourth in the 100 and seventh in the triple jump. Holzwarth has earned a state title in the long jump individually, helped multiple relay teams earned state championships, and made the state podium in the 100. She completed the second longest long jump in state history last spring (19 feet, 10.25 inches) while the Raiders earned the state championship in 2026.
An expected nursing major, Holzwarth is active in her school's FCA and National Honor Society. She has been named the Stevens Athlete of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. Her father, Michael, competed in basketball at Jamestown, while her mother, Greta, competed in track at Wyoming.
Alexandra Merriam | F | 5-1 | Evanston, Ill. | Evanston Township High School
Alexandra Merriam brings both high school and international experience to the Jackrabbits.
Merriam has earned a regional championship in 2025, an Illinois State Cup Championship that same year as well as a USYS National Championship in 2026. Her 2025 high school season saw her record 14 goals and six assists. Last spring saw her spending time playing internationally with the Honduras U17 and U19 teams. In the Concacaf U-17 Qualifier for the FIFA World Cup at the same level, Merriam scored a team-high seven goals to go along with four assists. She's currently competed in the 2026 UNCAF FIFA Forward Women's U-19 Tournament in Panama for Honduras.
Merriam's sister, Adrianna, currently plays for Baylor soccer. Merriam plans to study entrepreneurial studies at South Dakota State.
Emily Pegg | D | 5-7 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Aden Bowman Collegiate
Emily Pegg joins South Dakota State as a standout nationally in Canada.
Pegg has served as a multiple year captain while competing at a variety of levels. She scored a combined 30 goals, despite playing off the back line, during her prep career. In her club experience, she's participated in the Top 60 showcase in Ontario for FTF, as well as competed in Montreal for the National Development Centre Tournament for the Canada selects team. In 2024, she was chosen as the Young MVP and to the Starting 11 at the FTF Showcase. That year saw her ranked as the 21st recruit for all 2027 graduates in Canada by FTF. In 2025, Pegg claimed a Starting 11 award at the Vancouver Whitecaps Showcase.
Pegg has been on her high school's Academic Honor Roll each year of her prep career. The Saskatoon native plans to major in nursing at South Dakota State.
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