University of North Carolina Athletics
O'Reilly's Overtime Goal Sends U.S. Into Gold Medal Match
August 23, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 23, 2004
CRETE - University of North Carolina women's soccer sophomore forward Heather O'Reilly, the youngest player on the 2004 U.S. Olympic women's soccer team, scored in the 99th minute off an assist from Tar Heel soccer legend Mia Hamm lift the United States to a 2-1 overtime victory over 2003 World Cup champion Germany in the semifinals of the 2004 Olympic Games. The victory sends the U.S. to the gold medal match for the third successive Olympic Games. The U.S. won the gold medal in 1996 and took the silver behind Norway in 2000. The other semifinal match today will match Sweden and Brazil. The United States took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by another UNC legend -- midfielder Kristine Lilly -- who took a pass in the box from Abby Wambach to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. Germany tied the match in stoppage time on a shot that deflected in off veteran U.S. defender Joy Fawcett. O'Reilly, who had entered the match late in regulation in place of fellow Tar Heel Lindsay Tarpley, a junior on the 2004, had a shot at an open goal shortly into overtime but hit the left post. Just minutes later, Hamm made a run deep into the German penalty area and drew the opposing keeper out of the goal before slotting the ball back to the onrushing O'Reilly who tapped the ball in for her first Olympic goal. The gold medal game will be played Thursday at 2 p.m. on NBC.
