EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Natasha Kai scored in the 72nd minute and the Olympic gold medalist U.S. women's soccer team beat Ireland, 1-0, last night at Giants Stadium in the second game of a 10-game post-Olympic tour.

Briana Scurry preserved the victory with a late diving save on Michele O'Brien's shot. Ireland's Aine O'Gorman also had a chance at an empty net in stoppage time, but Heather Mitts' cleared the ball away.

After failing on multiple second-half opportunities, the Americans broke through when Carli Lloyd fed Kai with a pass from inside the penalty box. Kai's left-footed shot from 12 yards away went past goalkeeper Emma Byrne and inside the right post. Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, has scored in consecutive matches and has 15 goals in 21 games this year.

Just 6 minutes earlier, Kai missed an open net when her shot from 15 yards away flew over the goal.

"There was frustration here and there, but we finally got through it," Kai said. "We had one great opportunity and we finished it."

Team USA captain Christie Rampone was honored before the game.

She became the sixth player to play 200 matches for the U.S. national team.

The meeting was the second of a three-game series between the teams. The United States won the opener, 2-0, Saturday in Philadelphia. The series will conclude Saturday in Bridgeview, Ill.