Washington State free safety Shalom Luani was once a soccer star for American Samoa, but his footwork and instincts have translated well onto the football field, where he has become one of the Cougars’ hardest hitters.
Shalom Luani is no stranger to big performances in big games.
Way before he secured the game-winning interception in Washington State’s win at Oregon last weekend, the Cougars’ starting free safety was best known for the game-winning goal he scored as a 17-year-old forward for American Samoa against Tonga in a November 2011 World Cup qualifying match.
Luani’s 74th-minute goal that day gave the Samoans a 2-1 win, their first-ever FIFA-sanctioned victory.