One former UNC player provided a key assist in the Olympic semi-finals while another former UNC player provided a key assist in the Gold Medal game against Japan.
But it was Carli Lloyd, who kicked the winning goal for the United States the last time the Americans competed for the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, that scored two goals and goalie Hope Solo who made several key saves as the U.S. women’s soccer team defeated Japan 2-1 to earn the Gold Medal.
The win was redemption for the American squad who blew a big lead and lost to the Japanese in the last year’s World Cup.
UNC’s Tobin Heath was involved in the Americans first goal while UNC’s Heather O’Reilly, who didn’t play in the Gold Medal game, nonetheless won her third Gold Medal. O.Reilly was a key to the U.S.’s semi-final win over Canada when she assisted the winning goal. Had it not been for O’Reilly, there may not have been a Gold Medal game. “That was a special game and a special moment (against Canada),” said former U.S. and UNC soccer star Kristine Lilly. “Alex Morgan’s header was great but I think Heather O’Reilly’s ball (to her) was incredible.”
UNC and U.S. great Mia Hamm, who had not planned on attending the Olympics, said she was inspired by that victory over Canada and she wanted to witness the Gold Medal match in person as a fan.
She got to see a Carolina player, Heath, play prominently in the outcome against Japan. Eight minutes in, Heath drove the ball past a pair of defenders down low to Alex Morgan, who passed it cross goal to Lloyd, who charged in out of nowhere and headed into the back of the net.
A pair of saves, including an athletic effort by Solo who went up high and knocked a shot away with her left hand, kept the Japanese scoreless. Japan threatened again and got a free kick 25 minutes in. Heath got a hand on it to knock it away. Luckily, a hand ball was not called.
Heath got an opportunity to score herself late in the first half after she made a good move to get a shot off. But she was well out and didn’t have enough on it to challenge the goalkeeper. Analyst Brandi Chastain, a Gold Medalist herself, said Heath needed to show more patience and move in a little closer before taking the shot.
Japan had the momentum toward the end of the half but it didn’t extend into the second half. The USA’s Lloyd, in the 54th minute, took it from midfield all the way to the edge of the box and ripped one in on the left side to give the Americans a commanding 2-0 lead.
But Japan didn’t give up and it got close down the stretch. With less than 30 minutes to play, Japan’s Yuki Ogimi scored on a wild play. The U.S.’s Kristy Rampone, helping out a diving Solo at the net, stopped one shot but she couldn’t get it out. The ball bounced around and Ogimi poked it in just in front of the net to draw the Japanese to within a goal at 2-1.
Japan had two more big chances over the last 20 minutes. There was a wild scene in front of net with 10 women in the six-meter box during the 73rd minute but the Americans were able to pin-ball it out of trouble. With less than 10 minutes to go, Rampone had it stolen away deep in U.S. territory. Asuna Tanaka had a one-on-one situation with Solo, who hadn’t been challenged much in the Olympics before this game. A diving Solo stretched out to the left and knocked it away at the last second to preserve the lead.
The Americans held on for the victory.