June 22, 2009
Albrecht, US shock Australia
by Staff Report/
PRAGUE - Sarah Albrecht made certain the United States would experience a perfect ending to its opening round of play at the Women's World Cup.
Albrecht, a former Northwestern and Thayer Academy star from Braintree, Mass., scored her third goal of the game with 4:21 to play Monday as the US capped a rally from a 9-4 halftime deficit and held on to stun defending world champ Australia, 10-9.
The U.S. (4-0) is the only team that will bring a perfect record into the medal round. On Wednesday, the U.S. will meet the winner of a play-in match between Ireland and the Czech Republic.
Team USA, which trailed, 7-1, in the first half, took its first lead when Albrecht, an assistant coach at Harvard, converted a pass from Caroline Cryer.
U.S. starter Devon Wills (three saves), a former Dartmouth standout, was replaced in goal by Megan Huether (six saves), who helped keep Australia off the scoreboard in the second half.
