WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Head Coach Travis Connell, the Western Washington University Womens Soccer team achieved athletic greatness by winning the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship, defeating three-time defending champion Grand Valley State by a score of 3-2 in the championship game; and

WHEREAS, This accomplishment marked the 10th team national championship in Western Washington University's distinguished history; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the course of the season, Western's Womens Soccer team accomplished an undefeated record 24-0-1, including a 24-game winning streak, and setting a record for the most wins in a season ever by a collegiate soccer team from the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, In addition to becoming national champions, Western's Womens Soccer team won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular season title for the fifth consecutive season and earned the No. 1 national ranking for the first time in program history; and

WHEREAS, Earning a national championship in team sports requires a unified team effort, and as an indication of such, Western's Womens Soccer team tied the GNAC conference record with 17 shutouts and 19 players on the team scored at least one goal over the course of the season; and

WHEREAS, The Western Womens Soccer team exemplified what it means to be student-athletes by achieving both academic and athletic success, as highlighted by five players being named to the GNAC conference All-Academic Team; and

WHEREAS, The accomplishments and sportsmanship of Western's Womens Soccer team on the national stage generates pride and positively impacts the university, alumni, and communities throughout the State of Washington;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor the Western Washington University Womens Soccer team for an outstanding 2016 season that culminated in a well-deserved NCAA Division II National Championship, under the guidance of Head Coach Travis Connell and his staff; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Western Washington University President, Sabah Randhawa; and to Head Coach Travis Connell, his staff, and the players of the national championship team.