House Concurrent Resolution 110

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY LADY PATRIOTS VARSITY SOCCER TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2012-2013 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE SCHOOL'S FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots Varsity Soccer Team finished the 2012-2013 season with an outstanding record of 15 wins, four losses and two ties; and

WHEREAS, the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots Varsity Soccer Team did very well in the state playoffs defeating Jackson Prep in penalty kick sudden death to win the school's first ever state championship in soccer; and

WHEREAS, after 40 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute periods of scoreless overtime, the two teams moved into two five-minute periods of sudden death overtime with neither team finding the net; and

WHEREAS, with each team faced with the decision of sending 5 girls to take penalty kicks, Brennan Steed, Gaylynn Cooper, Ruth Fowler and Mary Will Mitchell scored on penalty kicks but Prep also scored on four of five kicks, requiring a sudden death penalty kick situation; and

WHEREAS, MRA's Anna Belle Butler went first for the Lady Patriots and was able to score a goal in the top right side of the goal and then Goal Keeper Savannah Stewart jumped to her left for a save on Prep's kick thereby sealing the school's first soccer state championship in dramatic fashion; and

WHEREAS, many honors have been bestowed upon various members of the team in recognition of their fine, dedicated play this season, including the naming of Campbell Barry, Brennan Steed, Bailey Butler, Gaylynn Cooper, Alixa Veal and Taylor Grogan to the All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Patriots have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Jeremy Short and Assistant Coach Thomas Shannon, who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, the 2012-2013 MRA Lady Patriots roster is comprised of seniors, Annie Carrigan, Ruth Fowler, Taylor Grogan, Nicole Healy and Marye Will Mitchell; juniors, Bailey Butler, Stone Jacobs, Amber Thomas and Alixa Veal; sophomores, Gaylann Cooper, Brennan Steed, Britney Jarrell and Tolley Yoste; freshmen, Campbell Berry, Anna Belle Butler, Julialeigh Healy, Caroline Sanderson, Savannah Stewart, Laura Leigh Woodward and Emily Young; Eighth-Grader, Rachel Russell; and Seventh-Graders, Avery Aldridge, Lily Denson, Aubree Dillon, Bailey Dowell, Parker Grogan, Anna Lutz and Mary Seitz Young; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Patriots have developed a winning and cooperative spirit with a high degree of sportsmanship and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to Madison-Ridgeland Academy; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by such an outstanding accomplishment as that of the Lady Patriots in winning their first state championship:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots Varsity Soccer Team for their outstanding season and for winning the state championship in soccer.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Head Coach Jeremy Short, Assistant Coach Thomas Shannon and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.