U.S. women

Lilly marks 300th game with goal, assist to help down Norway 3-1.

GUANGZHOU, CHINA (January 18, 2006) -- Captain Kristine Lilly did not celebrate participating in her historic 300th international match by simply playing. The veteran midfielder starred, scoring the first and assisting the second of three American tallies in a 12-minute span late in the second half, igniting the rally that led to the 3-1 triumph over Norway in the opening match of the Four Nations Tournament at the Guangdong Olympic Center this evening.

It was the 39th meeting between the two most successful countries in women's soccer history, the U.S. grabbed the lead in the series for the first time in 34 matches. With their sixth straight victory, the longest streak in the series, the Americans now lead Norway 19-18-2 overall, their first edge since the U.S. captured three of the first five matches.

"Kristine Lilly's performance in her 300th game was tremendous, with a goal and a beautiful assist on the corner kick," U.S. head coach Greg Ryan said. "She is still such a special player and the most special thing about Kristine is that every game she comes to play with her whole heart. She gives us everything, now for the 300th time."

In today's second game in the round-robin event, China and France drew 1-1.

Lilly, the most capped player ever in international soccer for men or women, appropriately put the U.S. ahead 1-0 with a free kick in the 73rd minute. After reserve forward Heather O'Reilly was taken down at the top of the penalty area, Lilly nailed the near top right corner of the net from 19 yards, beating lunging Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby.

The goal was the 105th in Lilly's 18-year international career, tying her with Michelle Akers for second on the all-time U.S. list. She and Akers are also tied with Italian Carolina Morace for third-best all-time in women's international soccer behind Mia Hamm (158) and Italy's Elisabetta Vignotto (107).

It took four minutes for the Americans to extend their lead. Lilly curled a right-side corner kick to the far post where Shannon Boxx elevated above a mass of players and headed the ball off the left post and in from close range. It was the defensive midfielder's 14th career goal in her 51st appearance.

Norway cut into a lead with a penalty kick by Trine Ronning into the low left corner of the net to make it 2-1 in the 82nd minute. The tally snapped the U.S. shutout streak at 1,009 minutes, dating back to the last match of 2004.

The penalty was awarded when U.S. reserve midfielder Leslie Osborne was ruled to have fallen on the ball in a crowd of players following a save from keeper Hope Solo.

Striker Abby Wambach needed three minutes to restore the American advantage to two. She ran hard into the left side of the box to dig out a pass from midfielder Aly Wagner, shed a defender, cut into the middle and stuffed her shot through the legs of the charging Nordby from the top of the six-yard box.

In her 64th international match, Wambach became the eighth U.S. player in history to score 50 goals or more, joining Hamm, Lilly, Akers, Tiffeny Milbrett, Cindy Parlow, Shannon MacMillan and Carin Gabarra.

Dangerous shots were scarce for both teams, but the Americans held an edge in possession, keeping pressure on Norway. The Scandinavians were solid in back, but produced few opportunities.

The U.S. came close to taking a 1-0 lead early when Lilly lifted a ball to Wagner whose drive was turned away by a great save by Nordby. The ball rolled tantalizingly along the goal-line before a defender cleared it away.

In the 32nd minute, Wagner drove a shot from 16 yards right at Nordby.

Norway's best chance came two minutes before halftime when Leni Larsen hammered a 25-yard shot that an extended Solo tipped off the crossbar. The ball bounded back off the keeper's face but, after she hit the ground, she popped up to grab the ball.

Solo made three saves, including parrying away a free kick in the 87th minute.

Tina Frimpong made her first start for the U.S. in central defense in her fourth overall appearance, while right back Christie Rampone played her first game since having her first child, a girl, in October. Left back Lori Chalupny made her 16th appearance, while central defender Amy LePeilbet earned her 11th cap.

Twenty-year-old forward India Trotter made her first appearance for the U.S., entering in the 90th minute. Norway used no substitutes.

The U.S faces France here Friday at 12:30 a.m. (ET)

Note: American Rachel Woo refereed the game between China and France.

Referee: Zhang Dong Qing (China). Assistant referees: Liu Hong Juan (China), Deng Jun Xia (China). Attendance: 2,000 at Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Weather: Hazy, cool, 72 degrees.

Do you have a comment on this story or something to say about soccer in general? Send us a letter.