LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the College of Saint Rose Women's
Soccer Team upon the occasion of their appearance in the national semi-
finals of the 2008 NCAA Women's College Soccer Championships

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer Team upon the occasion of
their appearance in the national semifinals of the 2008 NCAA Women's
College Soccer Championships; and
WHEREAS, In December, 2008, the College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer
Team made the College's first-ever NCAA "Final Four" appearance when it
competed at Pepin Stadium in Tampa, Florida, at the Women's College
Soccer Championships; and
WHEREAS, Although being upended in the match by the University of West
Florida by a score of 4-0, the 2008 College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer
Team had a phenomenal year, getting past the "Sweet Sixteen" and winning
a regional championship; and
WHEREAS, The College of Saint Rose earned a spot in the Final Four
following a 3-2 victory over 17th ranked Mercyhurst College on Sunday,
November 23, 2008, in a national quarterfinal contest; this was the
first time the Golden Knights advanced past the "Round of 16," having
been in this round on three previous occasions in 2003, 2006, and 2007;
and
WHEREAS, Aside from the program's first Final Four appearance, the
Golden Knights of Saint Rose established a school record for wins (20),
tied a single-season mark for consecutive victories (11), and became
only the fourth team since 1985 to capture back-to-back Northeast-10
Conference titles; and
WHEREAS, The College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer Team garnered its
sixth NCAA Tournament berth within the past seven years and won the East
Regional Championship, another first for the program; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil, a skilled and
inspirational tutor, respected for her ability to develop potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the 2008 College of Saint Rose Women's
Soccer Team, from the opening game of the season to its Northeast-10
Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament Final Four participation,
were a sisterhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor
and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are second to
none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the 2008 College of Saint Rose
Women's Soccer Team members have proven themselves to be an unbeatable
combination of talents, reflecting favorably on the College of Saint
Rose; and
WHEREAS, Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil has done a superb job in guid-
ing, molding and inspiring the 2008 College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer
Team members toward their goals; and

WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment; Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil and the 2008 College of
Saint Rose Women's Soccer Team's outstanding athletes have clearly made
a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their
college; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer Team upon the
occasion of their appearance in the national semifinals of the 2008 NCAA
Women's College Soccer Championships; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the 2008 College of Saint Rose Women's Soccer
Team, and to Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil.