MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hudson, Polk, Barnett, Dearing, DeBar, Jackson (32nd), Seymour, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY "LADY CRUSADERS" WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH DANNY OWENS FOR WINNING THE PROGRAM'S FIRST NATIONAL NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH IS ONLY THE SECOND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, the William Carey University "Lady Crusaders" Women's Soccer Team made history by defeating Keiser University (Florida) 1-0 in the 2018 NAIA Title Game which was the program's first National Championship and only the second National Championship in school history; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Danny Owens has completed his 14th season at William Carey University. Owens guided the Crusaders to a 21-3 record, a SSAC Regular Season Championship, SSAC Conference Tournament Final and has advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. In 2018, William Carey Soccer was ranked No. 1 in NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll; and
WHEREAS, over the last 14 years, William Carey posted 12 winning seasons with an overall record of 215-62-14 and an overall conference record of 92-18-5. Coach Owens has claimed seven Conference Championships and 10 trips to the National Tournament (three Quarterfinal appearances, a Semifinal appearance and a National Championship); and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Lady Crusaders received the following honors:
· Danny Owens, NAIA Coach of the Year, SSAC Coach of the Year;
· Danny Owens, Ryan Weir, Chloe Crook, NAIA Coaching Staff of the Year;
· Ana Paula Santos (Sophomore/Sao Paulo, Brazil), NAIA Tournament MVP, SSAC Player of the Year, NAIA First-Team All-American;
· April Stewart (Senior/Pascagoula, Mississippi), NAIA National Tournament Defensive MVP, SSAC Defensive Player of the Year, NAIA First-Team All-American;
· Abby Baravik (Senior/Laurel, Mississippi), NAIA Second Team All-American, SSAC Golden Gloves Winner;
· Shantell Thompson (Senior/St. Catherine, Jamaica), NAIA Third Team All-American, SSAC Newcomer of the Year;
· Kelly Stubbington (Senior/Hornchurch, England)-NAIA Honorable Mention All-American;
· Valeria Miranda (Junior/Mexico City, Mexico)-NAIA Honorable Mention All-American;
· Six First-Team All-SSAC Selections;
· Five Second-Team All-SSAC Selections;
· Two SSAC Freshman Team Selections;
· Eight SSAC All-Academic Team Selections;
· Four NAIA Scholar Athletes; and
WHEREAS, individually, Coach Owens has been honored Coach of the Year seven times, has had 20 players to receive a Conference Player of the Year award, 99 players on the All-Conference Team, and 35 All-Americans. In addition, he has had 39 NAIA Scholar Athletes and 96 Conference Academic Teams. Before his time at William Carey, Owens served as Head Girls' Soccer Coach at Our Lady Academy (OLA) in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. His team compiled an impressive 60-12-7 overall record during his stretch as Head Coach and won three consecutive Mississippi High School State Championships. A former William Carey Men's Soccer player from 1996-1999, Owens earned All-Conference, All-Region and First-Team All-American honors at William Carey. During his collegiate career, the Crusaders qualified for three National Tournaments and had two Final Four appearances. In 2013, Owens was inducted into the William Carey University (WCU) Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Inaugural Hall of Fame for the Men's Soccer Team at WCU and in 2004 was inducted into the Inaugural Wall of Fame at Bishop Sullivan High School (St. Michael's High School) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 "Lady Crusaders" Women's Soccer Team Championship Roster is: Abby Baravik, GK; Sabrina Lang, GK; Kelsay Himel, D; April Stewart, D; Valeria Miranda, D; Josefin Karlsson, D; Silvia Leonessi, MF; Ana Paula Santos, MF; Megan Williams, MF; Taylor Gautreaux, D; Kelly Stubbington, F; Savanah Carter, F; Jamie Holifield, F; Alex Musial, F; Lovisa Kalling, D; Leticia Cupilille, MF; Lillie Lightsey, MF; Gabby Vincent, MF; Bailey Clemens, MF; Shantell Thompson, MF; Caitlyn White, MF; Rebeca Delgado, MF; Sharain Cummings, MF; Chrestine Nielson, MF; and Anni Rusanen, F; Head Coach Danny Owens; and Assistant Coaches Ryan Weir and Chloe Crook; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special group of student athletes who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the William Carey University "Lady Crusaders" Women's Soccer Team and Head Coach Danny Owens for winning the program's First National NAIA Championship which is only the second National Championship in the school's history and extend our best wishes to the team members, coaches, administrators, parents and sponsors for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Danny Owens for the team and William Carey President Dr. Raymond Thomas (Tommy) King, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of William Carey University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.