[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23841]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING UNC'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN WOMEN'S SOCCER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University 
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Women's Soccer Team. Under the 
leadership of Head Coach Anson Dorrance, the team won its 18th National 
Championship on Sunday, December 3, defeating Notre Dame 2-1.
  The Lady Tar Heels won 27 games in a row on their way to claiming the 
championship trophy. Led by senior Heather O'Reilly and freshman Casey 
Nogueira, this outstanding group of athletes was the embodiment of 
tenacity, determination, and teamwork. Their passion, talent, and 
success have inspired us all, and they have been the perfect role 
models for younger female athletes all across our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Coach Anson Dorrance. In 
the 27 years that women's soccer has been an official NCAA Division 1 
collegiate sport, Coach Dorrance has led the UNC women's soccer team to 
an astounding 18 National Championships. To put this number in 
perspective, John Wooden, legendary coach of the UCLA men's basketball 
team and one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport, coached 
his team to 10 National Championships. Coach Anson Dorrance's success 
is truly unprecedented, and it is a testament to his remarkable 
leadership, vision, and skills.
  The women's soccer program at UNC-Chapel Hill has a long and 
distinguished history of winning and producing some of the best soccer 
talent in the world. Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow, Lori Chalupny, and a host 
of other players started at UNC before going on to excel in national 
and international competitions like the FIFA World Cup. The players on 
the 2006 team are no exception. Today, I officially congratulate the 
Lady Tar Heels for winning the 2006 NCAA Championship, and I wish them 
the best as they continue to be leaders of women's collegiate soccer.

                          ____________________