S*0749 Resolution, By Peeler
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE LIMESTONE COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM
 AND COACHES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE 2017 NCAA DIVISION
 II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

   06/06/17  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 7)

TO CONGRATULATE THE LIMESTONE COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM AND COACHES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE 2017 NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Limestone College men's lacrosse team won the national championship on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; and

Whereas, after the Limestone Saints captured the Southern Region Championship the week before the national competition, their faithful fans were well rewarded for following the lacrosse team to Foxborough where the Saints defeated the competitive Northern Region Champion Merrimack College by a score of 11-9; and

Whereas, ranked number four in the nation, Merrimack was the only team to beat the top-seeded Limestone this season in an 18-13 loss, but the Saints were vindicated for the earlier defeat as they pulled out a dramatic win when it counted; and

Whereas, with a 2-2 score in the first quarter, Merrimack went ahead 3-2 just before the quarter ended, and when the 3-0 run for Merrimack was finished, the score stood at 5-2; and

Whereas, when the second half began, Limestone had taken up some of the slack in the deficit, but was still trailing 6-4 before the Saints found their rhythm early in the third quarter, posting three goals within seventeen seconds for a 7-6 lead: Limestone's Colton Watkinson scored before the three-minute mark, followed by two scores from faceoffs won by senior Kevin Reisman; and

Whereas, an even rush on a pass from Jordan Stouros to Charlie Sheehan landed the game-tying score with twelve minutes left in the quarter, and seven seconds later, the Saints ripped the lead from Merrimack when Reisman found an open Ryan Maciejewski, who posted the score; and

Whereas, Saint Brendan Smith brought the score to 8-6 with two and a half minutes left in the quarter, and teammate Matt Hommel cleared two defenders from the path to Tyler Papa who put in Limestone's fifth unanswered goal for a 9-6 lead; and

Whereas, although Ryan Maciejewski led the Saints with three goals and an assist, Limestone supplied nine different goal-scorers. Defensively, Limestone's goalkeeper, Cole Aikens, posted thirteen saves, and by rotating in defenders, the Saints impressively held Merrimack's lead attacker to only one score; and

Whereas, this year's victory makes the team's third national title in just four years, the fifth national championship in men's lacrosse since the program began in 1991, and the twelve seniors on the team finished their college careers with an imposing 81-4 record, three championship rings, and a remarkable 21-1 season for 2017; and

Whereas, the first college in South Carolina to add lacrosse as an official intercollegiate sport twenty-six years ago, Limestone has participated in eleven national championship games since the lacrosse program was added; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands such agility, strategy, and strength, Head Coach J. B. Clarke and his skilled coaching staff used their own experience and passion to produce a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the field; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the pride and recognition that the Limestone lacrosse players have brought to their college and to the Palmetto State, and the members look to hear of their continued achievements in the days to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Limestone College men's lacrosse team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach J. B. Clarke.