U.S. women reach Olympic soccer tourney

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Late goals by Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan Friday wrapped up a 3-0 win over Costa Rica that clinched a berth in the Olympics for the U.S. women's soccer team.

Eight countries have been playing in a two-week tournament to determine the two Olympic representatives from North America.

The teams that reached the championship match of this tourney were assured of a trip to the Olympics in London this summer. Friday's triumph put the Americans in the finals against either Canada or Mexico.

The Americans outscored their opponents 31-0 in their three group games.

Tobin Heath put the United States in front in the 16th minute, but it was not until Lloyd scored in the 72nd minute that the Americans had some breathing room.

The United States got a break early in the game when Costa Rica's Karol Sanchez hit the crossbar.

The American team has won three of the four Olympics in which women's soccer has been played, including a gold medal triumph over Brazil four years ago in Beijing.

The Olympic women's tournament will include 12 countries. Japan, North Korea, France Sweden, Brazil, Colombia and Britain have qualified for the Games.