WHEREAS, the Potomac Falls High School girls' lacrosse team won the Virginia High School League Class 5A state championship on June 10, 2017, in Fairfax; and

WHEREAS, in a repeat of the previous year's state final, the Potomac Falls High School Panthers faced off against the George C. Marshall High School Statesmen; and

WHEREAS, following a tense, seesaw matchup, the Potomac Falls Panthers triumphed over the George Marshall Statesmen 12 - 9 to secure their second straight state championship; and

WHEREAS, the Potomac Falls Panthers struck first in the state championship with a goal from senior Kelsey Curl, but the George Marshall Statesmen answered almost immediately; and

WHEREAS, the back-and-forth scoring continued during the first half, and despite strong offensive play from the Potomac Falls Panthers and goals from Kat Wood and Tori Birks, the two teams were tied at the break; and

WHEREAS, the George Marshall Statesmen took the lead in the second half, but the Potomac Falls Panthers bounced back thanks to scores from Kelsey Curl, Karis Roberts, and Tori Birks, as well as multiple saves from sophomore goalie Grace Hyde; and

WHEREAS, after taking a three-goal lead with three minutes left in the game, the Potomac Falls Panthers held on to clinch a well-deserved state championship victory; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his team's back-to-back state titles, Potomac Falls Panthers head coach Jim Birks was named the Class 5A All-State Coach of the Year; in addition, senior Tori Birks was named the All-State Player of the Year, players Kelsey Curl, Molly DeCarli, and Karis Roberts were selected for the All-State first team, and Madelyn DeCarli was named to the All-State second team; and

WHEREAS, the Potomac Falls High School girls' lacrosse team's state championship victory is a tribute to the dedication of all its talented student-athletes, the excellent guidance of its coaches and staff, and the passionate support of family members, friends, and the entire Potomac Falls High School community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Potomac Falls High School girls' lacrosse team on winning the 2017 Virginia High School League Class 5A state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jim Birks, head coach of the Potomac Falls High School girls' lacrosse team, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the team's stellar season.