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The United States Women's National Team found itself on the wrong end of a deflection, resulting in a late goal for Australia in a 1-1 draw in Newcastle, Australia, on Tuesday (Monday night U.S. time).
Kyah Simon's shot caromed off Becky Sauerbrunn and past goalkeeper Casey Murphy into the net in the 88th minute for Australia.
The late goal allowed the Aussies to gain a measure of revenge after dropping a 3-0 setback to the Americans on Saturday.
The U.S. jumped out to a fast start, courtesy of Ashley Hatch's second goal in as many matches. Margaret Purce ran down the ball near the end line before feathering a pass toward the penalty box for Hatch, who provided a stellar finish in the fourth minute.
Hatch scored on Saturday after 24 seconds for the third-fastest goal in program history.
The U.S. concluded 2021 with a 17-2-5 record.
The clashes on Saturday and Tuesday marked the first trip to Australia for the USWNT since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The teams met for the fourth time this year. They played twice at the Tokyo Olympics — a 0-0 draw on July 27 in the final match of the group stage and a 4-3 win for the Americans nine days later in the bronze-medal match.
The U.S. leads the series 28-1-5 since the first game in 1987 but it was 2-1-2 in the previous five matches against the Aussies.
