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Not only did the Americans record a victory but the team that beat them earlier in the Games suffered a one-sided loss -- making the United States the winner of its preliminary group.

Team USA fell to Norway in its first game of the tournament two days prior to the opening ceremonies. But Norway was drubbed Tuesday by Japan 5-1. The United States and Norway both finished group play with 6 points but the Americans won the tiebreaker because they had a better goal differential than the Norwegians.

That means the Americans will meet Canada in the quarterfinals Friday. If the United States had finished second to Norway in the group, it would have had to take on Brazil in the quarterfinals. Instead, Norway will have to play the powerful Brazilians.

The other quarterfinals will send Sweden against Germany and China against Japan.

Brazil clinched first place in its group with a 3-1 victory over Nigeria and China won its group by defeating Argentina 2-0.

Amy Rodriguez, Lindsay Tarpley and Angela Hucles also scored goals for the United States in its blanking of New Zealand.

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