US Takes Third Place

Beat Norway in Consolation Game

September 30, 2007

SHANGHAI, China – The United States women received some solace at least, winning third place in the Women’s World Cup Sunday with a 4-1 rout of Norway.

A pair of goals from Abby Wambach, along with a goal each from Lori Chalupny and Heather O’Reilly, led the U.S. to an easy win at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium.

The United States women beat Norway, 4-1, Sunday to take third place in the WWC.

The U.S. game out firing in their final match of the 2007 tournament, getting off 23 shots to Norway’s seven. Wambach, who was a non-factor in the Americans’ 4-0 loss to Brazil, opened the scoring in the 30th minute off a backwards flick, redirecting a Lori Chalupny shot through traffic. Wambach struck again just after halftime when she put away a rebound of a Cat Whitehill shot.

Chalupny scored a goal of her own in the 58th minute, getting a foot on a ball that the Norway defense was trying to clear out. Second half sub Lindsay Tarpley took a shot off a corner kick that Bente Nordby did well to stop. Nordby’s rebound fell right to Tarpley, who brought it down in front of the goal. The ball rolled just enough for O’Reilly to run on to it and blast it into the goal for the USA’s final goal.

Briana Scurry didn’t do much in net. She didn’t have to. The keeper selected by head coach Greg Ryan to start in the disastrous semifinal loss to the Brazilians allowed one goal and made one save.

Scurry allowed five goals in two games compared to two in four games for Hope Solo.

Solo, in a decision made by Ryan and backed by team leaders, did not attend the match.

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