Soccer’s Kidd signs with Aquinas

PERKINSTON — Amelia Kidd is the first player from the first Mississippi Gulf Coast soccer team to win a game at the national tournament to sign with a four-year school.

The defensive midfielder from Bay St. Louis has signed to play at Aquinas College after helping the Bulldogs to within a goal of reaching the national semifinals.

"I liked that it was in a big city," Kidd said. "They have a really good team. They've gone to the national tournament the past eight years and came in second in their conference this year. It's a good place to grow as a player and as an individual. The campus is really nice as well."

Aquinas is an NAIA school in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Knights, coached by Jenna Smith, finished 12-7-1 and were runners-up in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. They qualified for the NAIA national tournament, falling in the second round to second-ranked Marian.

Kidd played in 15 games in both seasons at Gulf Coast. She had two assists as a freshman, but her biggest contribution was as a destroyer in midfield.

"Amelia's a top pick-up for them," Bulldogs coach Ryan Joiner said. "She's gonna do a lot of dirty work in the midfield for them. She's relentless in her running, and she's somebody that's just going to be a good teammate and always be willing to help the team do what needs to be done to win."

Kidd thanked Joiner and assistant coach Jordan Hall for their help in assembling her highlight reel and for reaching out through their connections in college soccer.

"They helped me grow as an individual and a player, both on and off the field," she said. "They could be strict at times, but in a good way. Coach Ryan gets on us, but it's in a loving way."

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