Forward Natasha Kai today became the first Hawai'i player to make the United States Olympic Women's Soccer Team.

Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, was one of 18 named to the roster by U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was five years old to play in the Olympics and now it's finally come true," Kai said. "It's exciting and overwhelming to represent the United States in the Olympics and I can't wait."

Sundhage made her final selections after the USA's 1-0 victory over Canada in the Peace Queen Cup championship game on Saturday in Suwon, South Korea.

Kai is the team's second leading scorer this year behind Abby Wambach. She has come on strong with 11 goals in 12 games and 758 minutes. Kai has 19 goals in 48 career matches for the U.S. She played in three games off the bench at the women's World Cup in 2007.

Making the Olympic squad was especially satisfying for Kai, who struggled early in the year.

"In December and January, I got sick, then came back into camp in February and didn't do well," Kai said. "I was up and down and I was on the verge of getting cut. I had to prove myself all over again and I had to make a decision if I wanted to do the work to be here. It took a lot of hard work, but now here I am."

The United States will open play at the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 6 against Norway in Qinhuangdao, China.

All 22 players – the Olympic Team plus the four alternates – will leave for Europe on June 27 for two matches, against Norway on July 2 in Fredrikstad and against Sweden on July 5 in Skelleftea.

U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team By Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.)

DEFENDERS (6): Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Heather O'Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Aly Wagner (San Jose, Calif.)

FORWARDS (3): Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawai'i), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.)

Information from www.ussoccer.com was used in this report.