Hicks named NJCAA Keeper of the Week

Kristin Hicks put up some eye-popping stats last week in goal for Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Picking up 39 saves in two games caught the eyes on the national level, and the Poplarville sophomore was named NJCAA Division I Keeper of the Week.

"It shows all the work we put in through the season and all the effort the other girls have put out there has been worth it," she said. "It's a big honor."

Hicks stopped all 21 shots she faced as Gulf Coast upset then No. 18-ranked Jones 1-0 on Oct. 13, and stopped 18 of 19 in a 1-1 tie at Meridian. She had a .975 save percentage in 195 minutes of play.

"It's a tremendous accomplishment," Gulf Coast interim head coach Jackie Rhodes said. "She didn't get to start last year as a freshman, so she continuously worked all through the season to earn that spot as a sophomore.

"She's grown so much as a player and a keeper. She really wants to do well, and she's proved it. I think she's one of the best sophomore keepers in the state. She's earned the spotlight."

Hicks and her fellow sophomore finished their season Tuesday with a 4-2 win at Southwest. The Lady Bulldogs wound up 7-9-1, just missing an MACJC playoff spot with a 5-4-1 South Division record.

The team had a second-half division record of 3-1-1, a strong finish for a program that's pushing for bigger and better things down the road.

"The two years have been so much fun," Hicks said. "It's been a lot of work and I'm happy to have gotten to where we've gotten as a team."

For more information on MGCCC athletics' 10 intercollegiate athletic, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.