[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 179 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE WINGATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S SOCCER TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2016

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wingate University 
men's soccer team and congratulate them on their first ever national 
championship. The Bulldogs earned their first national title in school 
history by defeating the University of Charleston in the NCAA Division 
II national title game on December 3, 2016.
  Led by head coach Gary Hamill, Wingate finished the regular season 
with a perfect 14-0 record. After suffering a minor setback in the 
South Atlantic Conference tournament, the team rebounded by storming 
through the NCAA tournament on the way to the title. Through the five 
games of the tournament, the Bulldogs did not concede a single goal, 
which included denying both the first and second ranked offenses in the 
country anything more than a few attempts on goal. The team finished 
the year with a nation's best 0.40 goals-against average, proving that 
defense really does win championships.
  Wingate had a total of five players named to the All-Tournament team 
including Jon Ander and Alex Nelson who were named Most Outstanding 
Offensive Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player respectively. It 
brings me great pride to be able to recognize these extraordinary young 
men as well as all of the coaches and support staff that made this 
accomplishment possible. The hard work and dedication exhibited by each 
member of the team during the season will continue to serve them well 
in life. They are a source of pride to both the university as well as 
the surrounding community. I wish them well in all of their endeavors 
and look forward to hearing of their continued success in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating the Wingate 
University men's soccer team on their well-deserved national title.

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