Sports briefs

Soccer

U.S. SHUTS OUT MEXICO: Abby Wambach used her head — and plenty of toughness — to help the United States beat Mexico.

Elevating for a ball in the penalty box in the first half, Wambach was flattened by Mexico's goalkeeper, who punched it away. A few moments later Wambach was up again, scoring the first of two headers to lift the United States past Mexico 3-0 Sunday in Charleston, S.C.

The tall striker scored in the 34th minute on a cross from North Carolina star Heather O'Reilly. Wambach then knocked in a header in the 40th minute off Aly Wagner's corner kick.

Kristine Lilly, who made her 299th international appearance, opened the scoring with an unassisted goal in the ninth minute. After Cat Reddick's cross, Lilly sent a deflection into the lower corner of the goal. It was the captain's 105th career goal, tying her for second with Michelle Akers. Both trail Mia Hamm, who retired in December, by 53 goals.

The game was the last of the year, meaning U.S. coach Greg Ryan must wait a couple months before he gets another look at the national team as it prepares to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.

Skiing

MAIER'S MONUMENTAL WIN: Hermann Maier has had many big victories, and he was ecstatic with this one.

The Austrian edged Bode Miller to capture the season-opening giant slalom Sunday in Soelden, Austria, and overtake Alberto Tomba for second place on the World Cup victory list.

Maier's 51st World Cup victory sent him ahead of Italy's Tomba. Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark leads with 86, all in slalom and giant slalom.

This was Maier's first World Cup giant slalom win since nearly losing a leg in a motorcycle accident four years ago, although he won the giant slalom world title last year.

The former Olympic and world champion covered the two runs in 2 minutes, 17.60 seconds, rallying from fifth place after the first leg. Miller, the reigning overall champion, won the first leg and finished 0.07 seconds behind the Austrian.

Miller had been leading until halfway down the course, but the New Hampshire skier lost a full second on the bottom section after the sun went behind the clouds for the last four races.

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