Senate Resolution 79

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2023-2024 FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL LADY EAGLES SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH BILL HOOD UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 5A GIRLS STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Florence High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team finished the 2023-2024 season with their second state title in three years and seventh overall when they reigned victorious at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A Girls State Soccer Championship; and

WHEREAS, behind a strong, second-half offensive attack, the Lady Eagles rallied past Lafayette 3-1 to claim their latest Golden Ball Trophy on a cold, windy Saturday afternoon at Germantown's Maverick Stadium; and

WHEREAS, similar to the agile, ferocious raptors for which they are named, the Lady Eagles Soccer Team wielded its exceptional power and strength to pierce through the state championship dreams of each of their opponents in the State Playoffs; and

WHEREAS, playing with clear eyes, full hearts and unimaginable amounts of strength, the Lady Eagles Soccer Team outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered the Lafayette High School Lady Commodores; and

WHEREAS, the championship game was a tale of two halves, as Lafayette (20-6) struck first in the 29th minute as Lillie Grace McCutchen's shot just went past the goal line to give the Lady Commodores a 1-0 lead; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Eagles (20-4-1) have several young players on the team, so they regrouped and refocused during halftime, and came into the second half like a different team, as they tied the game at 1-1 five minutes into the second half when Kamryn Frazier found the net on a rebound off a free kick that went off the top cross bar; and

WHEREAS, five minutes later, Emma Marchant scored a shot that went into the near corner of the net to give the Lady Eagles a 2-1 lead, and after the game, Marchant was named the game's "Most Valuable Player"; and

WHEREAS, the score stayed the same until the 74th minute mark when eighth-grader Kadie Carroll stole a pass at the top of the 18-yard box and the shot went just over the Lafayette goalkeeper's hands and into the back of the net to give Florence a 3-1 lead and seal the game; and

WHEREAS, throughout their season of play, the Florence High School Girls Soccer Team was faced off with some of the state's best contenders on the pitch, but persevered to make their presence and talent known; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 Lady Eagles team statistics were impressive, and there were outstanding headers, strikes, penalty kicks and goals by individual players, but the key to this team's consistent success has been the constant team atmosphere and year-round hard work; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Eagles have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Bill Hood, who has broadened the Lady Eagles' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hood continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in their ability to produce high-caliber players and plays and the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 Florence High School Lady Eagles Championship Soccer Team Roster: Kylie Freemyer, Kylie Reynolds, Addison Grantham, Kailee Lilley, Kadie Carroll, Regina Guzman, Mallory Jackson, Brooke Bridges, Kylee Cloer, Ella Sanford, Emma Marchant, Rylee Raymond, Raeleigh Statham, Sydney O'Hair, Lilly Banks, Kendal Patterson, Caroline Sanford, Mary Taylor, Wendy Manchame, Kamryn Frazier, Jojo Quick and Mary Grace Tomlinson; Head Coach Bill Hood and Assistant Coach Joshua Cavanaugh; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and commend the accomplishments of these exceptional Mississippi student-athletes, whose excellence on the field and in the classroom brings honor to their school, their community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2023-2024 Florence High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team and Head Coach Bill Hood upon winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A Girls State Soccer Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Bill Hood and Florence High School Principal Keith Reed, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.