Nov. 30, 1991 – U.S. 2×1 Norway. First Women’s World Championship final, Guangzhou, China (Att.: 63,000)

Michelle Akers-Stahl (20^’, 78^’) made the difference for the U.S. Linda Medalen (29^’) equalized for Norway. There was increased drama in the deciding goal as Akers-Stahl scored two minutes before the final whistle – the length of games was shortened to 80 minutes, 10 minutes less than normal.

Kristine Lilly (Wilton, Conn.) was in the U.S. starting lineup, Deb Belkin (Needham, UMass) on the U.S. bench and Anson Dorrance’s coaching staff included Tony DiCicco (Wethersfield, Conn./Springfield College) and Lauren Gregg (Wellesley/Harvard University).

This was a ground-breaking event for women’s soccer, but the tournament was not fully sanctioned by FIFA. Games were limited to 80 minutes (40-minute halves) and the competition was not designated as a “World Cup.” FIFA quickly got up to speed, soon conforming the rules of the women’s game to the men’s game.

In previews of the final, Norway defeated the U.S. twice in the New England Sports Museum Challenge Cup. The Norwegians took a 1-0 victory in New Britain, Conn., on Aug. 30 and a 2-1 win at Ellis Oval in Medford, Mass., on Sept. 1. Both games went 90 minutes and were conducted by FIFA rules.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY