88R26089 EME-D By: Jetton H.R. No. 1275 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The Seven Lakes High School boys' soccer team proved itself one of the finest in Texas by winning the University Interscholastic League 6A state championship on April 15, 2023, at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown; and WHEREAS, The championship victory closed out an unforgettable year in which the Spartans compiled an exceptional overall record of 28 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie; after claiming the District 19-6A title, they carried their momentum into the postseason, defeating Fort Bend Austin 2-0 in the opening round of the playoffs; subsequent victories over Houston Bellaire, Katy Cinco Ranch, League City Clear Springs, and Pasadena Dobie High Schools secured the team's spot in the state tournament for the second consecutive season; in the semifinals against Garland Sachse High School, the Spartans scored twice in overtime to claim a berth in the title game; and WHEREAS, Seven Lakes matched up with Dripping Springs High School with the state crown on the line; following a closely contested first half, the Spartans snapped a scoreless deadlock in the 55th minute and knocked in a second goal at the 62-minute mark; Dripping Springs answered a short time later, but the Spartans' defense held their opponent at bay the rest of the way to seal a 2-1 victory; with the triumph, the Seven Lakes players secured the first soccer state title in school history; and WHEREAS, The Spartans were led by Hunter Merritt, the championship game Most Valuable Player, who was joined by Gabriel Gonzalez, Aidan Morrison, and Ben Aviles Vera on the 6A All-Tournament Team; Seven Lakes also received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other members of the roster: Pato Valez, Diego Flamenco, Javier Mestre, Noah Peterson, Kortay Koc, Noa Stasic, Abdullah Soliman, Daniel Ejerenwa, Cameron Born, Jesus Duque, Fernando Lazo, Eduardo Davalillo, Sean Carlos Rivera, Shikhar Gupta, Sebastian Ranz, Alexis Matute, Jack Robertson, Daniel Farias, Josh Taylor, and Tanner Smith; these talented student-athletes benefited from the able leadership of head coach Jimmy Krueger and assistant coaches Darryl Metcalfe and Jay Kolkman, and the team also received enthusiastic support from principal Kerri Finnesand and athletic director Jimmy Hamon; and WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and the members of the Seven Lakes Spartans soccer team will treasure the memory of this accomplishment for the rest of their lives; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Seven Lakes High School boys' soccer team on winning the 2023 UIL 6A state championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Spartans as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.