[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22419]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF THE BETHESDA FALCONS

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Bethesda Soccer Club Falcons for winning the Under-16 girls Maryland 
State Cup Championship.
  The Falcons defeated their opponent, the Soccer Club of Baltimore 
Force, 11-0. This victory marked the team's seventh consecutive state 
title--one for every year that they have been eligible to win--which 
also happens to be a Maryland record.
  Every Falcons team member was a contributor to this important 
victory. On the offensive, the game's leading strikers were Audra 
Poulin and Jenny Potter, who had three goals apiece. Jenna Linden added 
two goals to the team's fight, while Christi Bird, Stephanie Sybert, 
and Allison Dooley chipped in the remaining scores for the Falcons. 
This overpowering offense was aided by the passing and play-making 
abilities of the Falcons' talented mid-fielders: Beth Hendricks, Tara 
Quinn, Jennifer Fields, Susannah Empson, and Tanya Hahnel.
  One of the keys to the Falcons' victory was their unwavering and 
steadfast defense which allowed no goals and only a few shots by the 
unrelenting Baltimore Force. This defense was anchored around defenders 
Caitlin Curtis, Amy Salomon and Alison West, while the goal posts were 
kept clear by goalies Anna Halse-Strumberg and Kerry York.
  It was a fitting ending to the tournament in which the Falcons, 
through five games, outscored their hard-working opponents 29-0. The 
following day, the Falcons continued their winning efforts by defeating 
the Baltimore Soccer Club Pride--another great Maryland team. The 
Falcons finished in first place in the Washington Area Girls' Soccer 
Association Under-17 Premier Division.
  Mr. President, as many of my colleagues know, I believe we must get 
behind our kids and support them in their hard work. The importance of 
this principle was demonstrated by Falcons coach, Richie Burke, who did 
just that. As a result, the team fought hard and produced a definitive 
victory. I'm proud to have such a great team and a fantastic coach in 
Maryland, and I'm proud of all the participants in the Maryland State 
Cup Championship for their hard work and dedication.

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