A senate RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor the clemson university men's soccer team members and coaches for an extraordinary season and to congratulate them for winning the 2023 NCAA men's national championship title.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Clemson University soccer team won its fourth NCAA Men's Soccer National Championship on December 11, 2023; and

Whereas, Clemson's four team championships are the most won by any program at Clemson University. The Tigers defeated ACC-foe Notre Dame in the championship game 2-1; and

Whereas, Notre Dame had the first shot at a goal, but keeper Joseph Andema made a diving stop to keep the Fighting Irish off the board. The Tigers then had back-to-back corner kick opportunities but were unable to score; and

Whereas, following the Tigers' fifth corner kick of the first half, Brandon Parrish broke the 0-0 tie with a rocket to the top right corner. The corner was cleared by a Notre Dame defender, who sent it right to Parrish, who fired from outside the top of the box for his fourth goal of the season; and

Whereas, Notre Dame had two close looks following the Clemson goal, but Andema made his second save of the night and another Fighting Irish shot went just wide to keep the Tigers' lead intact; and

Whereas, Mohamed Seye then narrowly missed doubling the Tiger lead on a pass from Alex Meinhard. Notre Dame put pressure on the Tigers for the remaining five minutes of the half, but the Tigers were able to take the 1-0 lead into the locker rooms; and

Whereas, Notre Dame had three good chances to start the second half as the Fighting Irish ramped up the offensive pressure against the Tigers, but the Tigers continued to hold their lead; and

Whereas, Ousmane Sylla sent a pass wide to Minehard. Minehard crossed it back to Sylla, who fired it past the diving keeper to score his thirteenth goal of the season and give the Tigers the 2-0 lead. Notre Dame used a penalty kick in the box to finally break through and become the first team in the NCAA tournament to score a goal against the Tigers, but the Tigers held their lead for the remainder of the game; and

Whereas, Brandon Parrish, Shawn Smart, Alex Meinhard, and Joseph Andema were named all-tournament team, while Pape Mar Boye was named the most outstanding defensive player and Ousmane Sylla was named the most outstanding offensive player; and

Whereas, Ousmane Sylla was further honored with the MAC Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious honor in college soccer. Sylla led the Tigers in goals, assists, and points this season. He became the fourth Clemson player to win the award, joining Bruce Murray (1987), Wojtek Krakowiak (1998), and Robbie Robinson (2019). Sylla was also named the MVP for both the ACC Tournament and the College Cup, as well as first team All-ACC, first team All-Atlantic Region and first team All-America; and

Whereas, the team has flourished under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Noonan and the rest of his skilled coaching staff. In a sport that requires speed, agility, and stamina, Coach Noonan and his staff have maximized their own athletic abilities and training to forge a championship-caliber team time and again; and

Whereas, Clemson joins Maryland, UCLA, and San Francisco as men's soccer programs with four national championships; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the pride and recognition that the Clemson soccer players have brought to their university and our State, and the members look forward to hearing of their continued accomplishments in the days ahead.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Clemson University men's soccer team members and coaches for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 NCAA Men's Soccer National Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Mike Noonan, his coaching staff, and the Clemson University men's soccer team.

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