Southern Mississippi’s women’s soccer program has rarely grabbed headlines like it has this offseason. At the center of the attention is 19-year-old Kiana Dufour, a dynamic forward originally from São Paulo, Brazil, who just signed a scholarship to play for the Golden Eagles. Fans are buzzing about her ability to inject speed and creativity into a team that finished last season with a modest record of 3-7-5.
Dufour’s road to Division I soccer has been anything but simple. She moved to Canada at a young age, represented Haiti at the youth level, and battled back from major hip surgeries that kept her off the field for months. “Kiana’s determination has no equal,” said Lisa Tremblay, her former coach in Canada. “She’s not just a player, she’s a force of nature.” Dufour herself credits those obstacles with forging her character. “I didn’t know I’d reach many people through my story,” she said. “That would be a gift and possibly help inspire another young athlete.”
Southern Miss Strikes Gold with Brazilian Star Kiana Dufour
Dufour joins a Southern Miss roster that’s hungry for a turnaround. Head coach Marcos Garcia called her signing “a game-changer,” while teammate Emily Ross believes Dufour “was the spark we needed.” That optimism has spread far beyond campus. Dufour’s social media posts have attracted national attention, especially after high-profile athletes like Weston McKennie and Marcus Stroman clicked the like button.
Some fans have focused on her style, while others see her as a serious contender to lead the Golden Eagles back to a winning season. Local businesses are already gauging her potential for NIL partnerships. The interest is so intense that supporters have flooded social media asking about season tickets well before kickoff.
Dufour is staying grounded through it all. Her official signing post ended with “Blessed & committed. Southern Miss to the top,” reflecting a belief that her new home can become a formidable soccer destination. She also wants to keep expectations in check. “My priority is the team,” she said. “I want to help us win, grow as a player, and make my family and fans proud.”
She’s expected to make her official debut in August 2025, and insiders predict she could be one of the top strikers in the conference.
