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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:38 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2008

Kai gets assist in U.S. women's soccer win over Australia

By JOHN ZENOR
Associated Press Sports Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

United States' Lindsay Tarpley celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of a soccer friendly against Australia in Birmingham, Ala. At right is teammate Natasha Kai of Hawai'i.

BUTCH DILL | Associated Press

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Angela Hucles scored in injury time and Abby Wambach had two more to push closer to the 100-goal milestone, giving the U.S. women's soccer team a 5-4 win over Australia in today's friendly.

Cat Whitehill's free kick went to Wambach, who headed it to Hucles coming up from behind. She poked it in between goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri and the left post for her first goal since 2004 with about 30 seconds left in the added time and the second straight survival win over Australia.

It was the most goals the U.S. had ever allowed in a win.

Lindsay Tarpley scored twice in the first half at Legion Field for the U.S., which blew a 4-1 lead helped by two own goals before pulling it out. Hawai'i's Natasha Kai got an assist on Tarpley's second goal.

The 27-year-old Wambach converted a header off an assist from Shannon Boxx 19 seconds into the second half for her 95th career goal with the national team. Only eight players have scored 100 in international soccer.

Hucles hadn't scored for the U.S. since another game-winner Oct. 16, 2004 against Mexico.

The teams were meeting for the second straight weekend in the middle game of the Americans' three-city friendly tour in the U.S. that ends next weekend against Canada in Washington D.C.'s RFK Stadium.

The U.S. won the first meeting 3-2 on Carli Lloyd's injury-time goal after another Australia comeback.

On Saturday, Australia mounted a quick comeback, aided by the two U.S. mistakes. Sarah Walsh and Lauren Colthorpe scored to make it 4-3.

Then, Christie Rampone's own goal off a shot attempt by Joanne Burgess tied it in the 69th minute. Whitehill, a Birmingham native who had dozens of family and friends among the announced crowd of 5,000, also helped Australia with an own goal for the game's first score before she atoned with the free kick.

The Americans extended their home match unbeaten streak to 29, dating back to November 2004 against Denmark.