Kai gets assist in second start

SUWON, South Korea » Natasha Kai assisted on a goal in her second career start for the United States Women's National Team yesterday in a 2-0 win over the Netherlands.

The former Kahuku and Hawaii star picked up the second assist of her international career, one match after notching her first assist.

Kai went high in the air for a ball from Kacey White and sent a header toward the goal from 10 yards out. The ball hit Lindsay Tarpley, who had her back to the goal, on the thigh.

Tarpley whirled on the bouncing ball and drilled it with her left foot into the left-side netting from 4 yards out in the 27th minute past a Dutch defender who was standing helplessly on the goal line. It was Tarpley's 13th career international goal.

Defender Cat Whitehill scored the second goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

The U.S. wins Group B and will play Canada for the Peace Queen Cup championship tomorrow.

"Strange game, but I was very happy with the first half with our new front line, Tasha Kai, Kacey White and Lindsay Tarpley. It took us a while to settle in and get a rhythm with the new players, but I thought they did very well individually," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said on www.ussoccer.com.

"We got two set-piece goals and it was good to see Tarp get on the score sheet and Cat Whitehill just keeps scoring goals, so a great first half to come out 2-0 against a big, strong, physical Dutch team."