US Women Tie Wins Record

Triumph Over Ireland Marks 28th Win of Year

September 18, 2008

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Forward Natasha Kai scored her team-leading 15th goal of the year in the 72nd minute to give the United States women’s soccer team a 1-0 victory over Ireland Wednesday at Giants Stadium.

The win is the 28th victory of the year for the U.S., tying a team record for most wins in a calendar year, and is the second win in as many games in the Americans’ 10-game domestic Achieve Your Gold Tour.

Natasha Kai flexed her stuff Wednesday against Ireland. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The University of New Haven's Selina Moylan got into the game for Ireland, coming on as a 82nd minute substitution.

The USA dominated the possession, but had trouble breaking through a packed and committed Ireland defense. More than a few interesting looking balls over the top and short passes slipped in behind the Irish defense skidded over the end line on the slick surface.

Kai’s goal came after a nice series of possession got the ball to Carli Lloyd at the top of the penalty box. Lloyd dribbled square into the middle before slipping a short pass to Kai, who collected with her back to goal, then spun to cut a bouncing left-footed shot past Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne and into the lower right corner.

“Getting the win was awesome, but it was just a hard fought game,” said Kai. “They had their chances, we had our chances, but our players wanted to win and that's what counts in games like this.”

With 15 goals in 1,361 minutes, Kai is averaging one goal every 90 minutes this year for the U.S. It was also her second goal in as many games against Ireland and the 23rd of her career.

In the 89th minute, Ireland forward Michele O’Brien unleashed a hard drive at net from the right side of the penalty area and U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry made an excellent save, diving to her right to push the shot away.

In stoppage time, Ireland had its chance to equalize when a long ball floated over the top and Aine O’Gorman got on the end of it. As Scurry came off her line, O’Gorman lifted the ball over the U.S. ‘keeper with a soft shot that was bouncing into the six-yard box. Heather Mitts sprinted in to the rescue, settling the ball a few yards off the goal line before clearing it away.

The U.S. women complete the three-game series against the Irish on Sept. 20 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT:

Scoring Summary:
USA – Natasha Kai ( Carli Lloyd) 72nd minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo (22-Briana Scurry, 46); 17-Lori Chalupny (21-Kacey White, 70), 3-Christie Rampone – Capt, 15-Kate Markgraf (4-Rachel Buehler, 46), 2-Heather Mitts; 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Aly Wagner, 11-Carli Lloyd, 9-Heather O’Reilly (14-Stephanie Cox, 46), 6-Natasha Kai, 16-Angela Hucles.

IRL: 1-Emma Byrne; 5-Yvonne Tracy, 4-Niamh Fahey, 3-Alisha Moran, 13-Ciara McCormack; 7-Ciara Grant, 6-Sonya Hughes (19-Selina Moylan, 82), 17-Mary McDonnell, 8-Aine O’Gorman; 10-Michele O’Brien, 11-Stefanie Curtis.

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: Blink Del.icio.us Digg
Furl Google Simpy Spurl Technorati Y! MyWeb