University of North Carolina Athletics
Governor Easley Proclaims Tar Heel Women's Soccer Day
December 8, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Dec. 8, 2006
RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley welcomed the University of North Carolina women's soccer team to the Executive Mansion Thursday and proclaimed the day Tar Heel Women's Soccer Day in honor of the team's NCAA Division I championship. Last Sunday, the team defeated the University of Notre Dame 2-1 to capture the 2006 NCAA Women's College Cup.
"The win against the Fighting Irish was far more than luck," said Easley. "It was about determination, talent, skill and teamwork. I congratulate you on your 18th NCAA championship title, an accomplishment no other Division 1 team in the history of the National Collegiate Athletic Association can claim."
Since the team started intercollegiate competition in 1979, UNC women's soccer has won 629 games and lost just 28. The team finished the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season with a 10-0 record for its 17th regular season championship and went on to win the ACC tournament for the 17th time in its 19-year history.
With the defeat of Notre Dame in Cary on Sunday, the Tar Heels claimed the NCAA Women's College Cup. It was the culmination of a 27-game winning streak after a single loss in the season-opener.
Members of the team and coaching staff were presented with the Laurel Wreath Award, the state's honor for outstanding achievement in athletics. Team members were also given special Carolina Blue four-leaf shamrocks in honor of their four national championship victories over Notre Dame in the years 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2006.
"We will be sending a picture of you with these special Carolina Blue shamrocks to Notre Dame to show them what real lucky shamrocks look like," Easley said. "You have proven to the nation what we in North Carolina always knew: You are the best soccer team in the country."
