Carli Lloyd nets hat trick in World Cup final

With a streak of three consecutive matches with a goal, Rutgers alum and New Jersey native had already established herself as a national star. However, what she did in the United States' 5-2 victory over Japan in the World Cup final cemented her place in U.S. Soccer history.

The star midfielder tallied a hat trick, with all three goals coming in the first 16 minutes of play, to propel U.S. to its first World Cup title since 1999.

Carli Lloyd opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, streaking through the box on a corner kick to knock in a low cross.

With the goal, Lloyd extended her match-scoring streak to four. But, her night was not over. Just two minutes, Lloyd was in the right spot at the right time on another set piece.

After Lauren Holliday found the back of the net to extend the U.S. lead to 3-0, Lloyd scored one of the best goals of the tournament, launching a shot from midfield over the head of an out-of-position Japan goalkeeper that skipped off the post and into the back of the net.

Safe to say, that video will be played again and again and again in the coming weeks and will most likely take the No. 1 spot in the SportsCenter Top 10.

Tobin Heath added a goal for the U.S. in the second half, and the United States would go on to earn revenge over the team that beat them in PKs in the 2011 final.

Lloyd ended the World Cup with a total of six goals along with one assist. Her six scores tied for the most in the tournament with German forward Celia Sasic. She received the Golden Ball Award, given to the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

#gocarRli