Norway Beats U.S. to Win Soccer Gold

S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 28 -- The magic of the Rose Bowl was not to be found at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The United States will have to share the stage of supremacy forthe first decade of major international women’s soccer. Norwayearned its share today, beating the U.S. team 3-2 inovertime in the gold medal game of the Sydney Olympics.

Substitute Dagny Mellgren scored in the 12th minute of suddendeath, taking a deflection off defender Joy Fawcett’s head as theyplayed a long ball from Hege Riise. The ball hit Mellgren’sshoulder and landed at her feet before she pushed it to the left ofgoalkeeper Siri Mullinix from 7 yards.

Milbrett Forces Overtime

Norway nearly had it won in regulation, but Tiffeny Milbrett’ssecond goal with seconds left in second-half injury time tied thegame. Ragnhild Gulbrandsen had given the Norwegians a 2-1 lead inthe 78th minute.

With the victory, Norway adds the 2000 Olympic title to its 1995World Cup championship. The United States can claim the 1991 and1999 World Cup as well as the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The victory also means Norway is still the only nation with anall-time winning record (15-13-2) against the United States. TheNorwegians are also the only team to beat the Americans in a WorldCup or Olympic tournament, the other victory coming in the 1995World Cup semifinals.

Milbrett’s tying goal came when she outleaped defender GoerilKringen to knock home Mia Hamm long cross from the right wing.There was literally no time left — when the ball was returned tothe center circle for the kickoff, referee Sonia Denoncourtsignaled the end of regulation.

Milbrett also scored in the fifth minute of a first halfdominated by the Americans, but Gro Espeseth’s goal off a cornerkick tied it in the 44th.

The most ironic moment came when in the 60th minute, whenKristine Lilly’s drive was headed off the line at the post in agreat defensive play by Kringen. A year ago, in the World Cupfinal, it was Lilly’s header on the line in overtime that preventeda China victory and sent the game to penalty kicks.