U.S. women win gold in soccer

BEIJING —

The defending champion

United States has won the gold medal in women's soccer for the third

time in four Olympics, beating Brazil 1-0 in overtime Thursday.

  Natasha Kai, who scored the game-winning goal in extra time in the American's quarterfinal win, substituted late in the game and played the final 13 minutes at forward.

Carli

Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time for the Americans, who

beat the Brazilians for a second straight Olympic final. Amy Rodriguez

held off two Brazilians and put the ball up for Lloyd who left-footed

it from a yard outside the area. Barbara dived, but the ball scooted

past her and settled in the far bottom corner of the net.

Marta

gave Brazil a chance in the 102nd minute, but she was tackled by

Heather Mitts. Marta got the ball back, but was blocked first by Kate

Markgraf and then by Christie Rampone.The two teams played in OT in Athens in 2004, with the U.S. scoring the game-winner after regulation in that 2-1 victory as well.