It’s gooooold again for Team USA’s women’s soccer team — all thanks to a Jersey girl!
Delran native Carli Lloyd scored two dramatic goals in yesterday’s revenge victory over Japan — vaulting her team to a 2-1 final win that set off wild celebrations from London to the Jersey Turnpike.
It’s the team’s third consecutive gold medal, and it wiped out the bitterness of last year’s heartbreaking, penalty-kick loss to Japan in the World Cup final.
Lloyd’s second goal in the 54th minute was one for the ages — she dribbled down the middle, cut right and rifled a shot across her body that squeezed just inside the left goal post.
“I was ready for the moment!” Lloyd said.
Even her coach, Pia Sundhage, admitted that the Jersey girl “proved me wrong” for not starting her every match.
“When someone tells me I can’t do something, I’m gonna always prove them wrong,” Lloyd said.
Soccer fans at Nevada Smith’s in the East Village broke into wild celebration — some into joyous tears — after Lloyd’s goal gave Team USA a 2-0 lead.
“Carli Lloyd is our princess of America!” screamed social worker Silva Ohanian, 27.
“I’m so proud to be an American right now!”
Giselle Munoz, 22, of College Point, Queens, said, “I cheered so much, I lost my voice!
“I’m so proud of our team! Go USA!” she said while wearing a team jersey.
Moments after the gold medal was placed around Lloyd’s neck, she smiled, turned to her teammate — and East Brunswick, NJ, native — Heather O’Reilly and said, “Wow, it’s heavy!”