Team USA Women's Soccer defeated Japan, 2-1, in the Gold Medal match of the 2012 London Olympics on Thursday.
After scoring the extra time winner in Beijing in 2008, Delran, N.J., native Carli Lloyd came through again for the U.S. in a gold medal match at the Olympics with the game-winning goal in the 54th minute. Lloyd also scored the first goal of the match in the eighth minute.
After the U.S. took the lead early in the match on Lloyd's header in the penalty area, Japan had a trio of good chances to level the score but could do no better than striking the crossbar. Lloyd scored again in the 54th minute, lacing a shot into the side netting from just outside the area, after a cutting run from midfield. Japan scored their goal in the 63rd minute when Yuki Ogimi collected a loose ball in the penalty area after the U.S. failed to clear.
Despite a scare or two after the first Japan goal (including this unreal Hope Solo save), the U.S. was able to hold off Japan for the rest of the match to clinch the gold medal.
With the win, the U.S. became the first team in men's or women's soccer to win four gold medals in the Olympics. The U.S. is also the first team to win three consecutive gold medals.
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