U.S. Women's Soccer Wins Gold on Carli Lloyd Overtime Goal

A goal from former Rutgers star Carli Lloyd in overtime propelled the United States women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Brazil in the gold medal match. With this gold medal, the women's team USA soccer has won three of the last four Olympic gold medals and now has posted back-to-back gold medal wins. The score from Carli Lloyd came from just outside the penalty area or about 18 yards from the Brazilian goal during the 98th minute of the action during the first overtime period. Carli Lloyd broke through two Brazilian defenders with the ball and then drilled a low liner past the Brazilian goal keeper into the right corner of the net. The goal from Carli Lloyd broke a scoreless tie. Team USA then held Team Brazil at bay for the remainer of the overtime period for the 1-0 win. It was shocking loss for the Brazilians who outplayed the Americans for most of the game but were unable to get the ball past Team USA goalie Hope Solo who played an inspired game with a series of amazing saves.

Carli Lloyd is one of the Team USA's midfielders. The 28 year old New Jersey native made her international debut 3 years ago in 2005. On her website, carlilloyd.com, Carli Lloyd had previously stated that her most memorable goal was one she made in 2007 at the Algarve Cup Finals against Denmark, "a left footed rocket from 35 yards out that hit the under-side of the cross bar and bounced in," she said. But Carli Llloyd may have found a new favorite goal in Beijing. Her Olympic winning shot was also off the left foot, a hard, low drive from the left side of the field to the right side of the net just out of reach of a diving Brazilian goalie.

Carli Lloyd starred at Delran High School in New Jersey where she was named the 1999 and 2000 girls high school player of the year by the Philedelphia Inquirer. She was also named to Parade Magazine's All-American Teams in 1999 and 2000 before going on to play soccer for Rutgers in college. At Rutgers she was the Big East Rookie of the Year and was a three time NSC All-American. She finished as Rutgers all-time leader in total points and goals scored.
She earned a spot on the women's world cup team in 2007 and scored nine goals with three assists to finish third on the team in scoring ithat year. With 4 goals scored, one in each game, at the 2007 Algarve Cup, Carli Lloyd earned tournament MVP honors.

The 5'8" 140 pound Carli Lloyd wears #11, the same number as the legendary women's soccer star Julie Foudy. She gets her inspiration form a quote by Randy Pausch, the late Carnegie Mellon University professor who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide, "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

Carli Lloyd moves by instinct on the soccer field. "It is mostly instinct," Carli Lloyd says at her website. "All the hours and hard work that I put in when I was younger has allowed me to just pull moves by instinct."

The Carli Lloyd website is a Mecca for aspiring girls soccer players with advice from game preparation to how to improve performance. But Carli Lloyd also reminds readers about the sacrifices involved playing at her level of skills. "I cacrified many things. Proms, high school dances, vacations, holidays with my family and friends, but it really was all worth it, because I love what I do. The most important thing is to train as hard as you can and for as many hours as you can. If it's with your team, or training sessions, or even in your backyard by yourself. You just have to constantly practice and work hard to get to the next level."

Sources:
NBC sports television
www.Carlilloyd.com