Carli Lloyd scores twice as USWNT wins Bronze Medal

The United States Women’s National Team won the bronze medal on Thursday with a 4-3 defeat of Australia. After a disappointing tournament for the top ranked team in the world, they ultimately held onto earn a spot on the podium after the Aussies scored twice late.

Rutgers legend and arguably the greatest women’s soccer player ever, Carli Lloyd, was a difference maker once again and made even more history in the process with two goals in the victory.

With her first goal, Carli Lloyd became the first player in United States Women’s National Team history to score in four Olympic Games.

She then passed Abby Wambach as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 10 goals in what ultimately became the difference in the outcome of the game. Lloyd has now scored in all three medal games of her Olympic career, including the game winners for gold in Beijing and London.

Lloyd was the oldest player on the team at age 39, but saved her best for last in these Olympic Games that could mark the end of her storied career with the national team. She made her 312th appearance for the USWNT on Thursday and now has 128 goals and 64 assists in her international career.

She has been a model of consistency and excellence throughout her time on the big stage. More importantly, Lloyd has been a role model that we all can be proud of. After the semifinal loss to Canada, Lloyd stayed on the pitch running sprints by herself. It wasn’t for show, it’s just who she is.

If Thursday’s bronze medal game performance was her swan song, Lloyd did so in heroic fashion and etched her name in the record books one more time. And if she does continue to play with the national team, who could doubt even more will be made down the road.