A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Cardinal Newman School boys soccer  TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA Independent School Association CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the  Cardinal Newman School boys soccer team of Richland County garnered the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) state title at the state competition held at Cardinal Newman's St. Sebastian Stadium on Saturday, May 13, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Cardinal Newman Cardinals defeated the Hammond Academy Skyhawks, their Midlands rivals, in a 4-0 shutout and finished their season with a 21-4 record; and

Whereas, the 2023 state trophy is the fourth consecutive title for the Cardinals' soccer program, the first three at the class 3A level and this year in their new 4A classification.  They might have won their fifth straight title if the COVID Pandemic had not shut down the 2020 season; and

Whereas, Cardinal Newman defeated all of its SCISA opponents this season, and twelve of those wins came by shutouts.  The Cardinals only losses were against North Augusta, nationally ranked Oceanside Collegiate, Chapin High School, and Brentwood High School in Tennessee; and

Whereas, in two previous matches against Hammond this season,  the Cardinals won 5-0 on May 3 and 2-0 on March 24.  In the championship game, the Cardinals' junior Duncan Wilson helped his team get off to a quick start by scoring in the third minute and adding another goal twelve minutes later for a 2-0 lead.  Teammate Matthew Harrison converted off a clean pass in front of the goal for a 3-0 lead, and Duncan Wilson scored his third goal on a penalty kick to seal the win; and

Whereas, Wilson returned to Cardinal Newman from two years at Charlotte Football Club's Academy in order to play one season of high school soccer with his younger brother and friends.  After graduating a semester early, he has committed to play for Clemson University in the spring of 2024; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands agility, speed, and stamina, Head Coach Will Eudy and his skilled coaching staff capitalized on their own athletic experience and training to build a championship-caliber program and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the pitch; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the legacy of pride and recognition that the Cardinal Newman soccer players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their future success in the days ahead.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Cardinal Newman School boys soccer team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 4A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Kelly Burke and Coach Will Eudy.

----XX----