Senate Concurrent Resolution 612

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ST. ALOYSIUS "FLASHES" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND COACH SCOTT MATHIS FOR WINNING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE MAIS DIVISION III STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, moments after the final whistle blew on Saturday, February 23, 2019, the St. Aloysius "Flashes" joyfully gathered together to celebrate their second consecutive MAIS Division III Boys Soccer Championship; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Theriot scored a pair of first-half goals, and Goalkeeper Haden Luke made seven saves to record his second shutout of the playoffs as St. Aloysius defeated Heritage Academy 2-0 in the Division III Championship Game at Jackson Prep. "I woke up this morning saying I'm just going to enjoy this day. Whatever happens, happens," St. Aloysius Coach Scott Mathis said. "The first five to 10 minutes of the game, and the last 10 minutes, was bad. Other than that, we controlled the game. That's how the ball bounces in soccer. We were the better team and we prevailed"; and

WHEREAS, St. Aloysius (17-1-1) capped off a remarkable season in which it went undefeated in its last 17 games and did not lose after falling at Division I finalist Jackson Academy in early November. It claimed its second State Championship in a row and is 21-1-1 in its last 23 games going back to last season. In three playoff games this season, the Flashes only allowed one goal; and

WHEREAS, "The two-goal lead was crucial because of the weather," Coach Mathis added. Although rain held off for the duration of the game, a steady 15 mph wind was blowing straight down the field. The Flashes had the steady wind at their backs in the first half and headed into it in the second. Getting two goals before they had to run into the wind and send passes against the wind allowed the Flashes to play a bit more conservatively in the second half. The Junior Goalkeeper Haden Luke made four of his seven saves in the second half, as well as several other plays that stopped scoring opportunities deep in St. Aloysius' end. "It was great. It is the best feeling in the world. I could not do it without my teammates and my defense," said Luke; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 St. Aloysius "Flashes" Boys Championship Soccer Team Roster is: Carson Collier, Randall Graves, Reed Bourne, Connor Smith, Kieran Theriot, Ben Ulery, Liam Walters, Thomas Dowe, Will Dowe, Wes Warnock, Lee Hanks, Ryan Theriot, Trip Curtis, Chuck Beamish, Brayden Roesch, Benjamen Lobred, Ethan Bagby, Dillon Chambers, and Hayden Luke; Coach Scott Mathis; Assistant Coaches Pat Chambers and Thad Wade; and Athletic Director Mike Jones; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, 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 St. Aloysius "Flashes" Boys Soccer Team and Coach Scott Mathis for winning their second consecutive MAIS Division III State Soccer Championship, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Scott Mathis for the team, forwarded to St. Aloysius Principal Dr. Virgil Strickland and the Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.