BEIJING — Former University of Hawai'i standout Iefke Van Belkum scored three goals as the Netherlands upset Hungary, 8-7, yesterday to advance to the gold medal match in women's water polo.

Van Belkum played 32 minutes and connected on 3 of 6 shots as the Dutch beat the 2005 world champions.

The Netherlands will play the United States, a 9-8 winner over Australia yesterday, for the gold medal tomorrow. Australia and Hungary will play for the bronze.

Goalkeeper Meike de Nooy, another former UH standout who will return to Manoa to help coach the goalkeepers, did not see any action against Hungary.

U.S. 9, AUSTRALIA 8

Brenda Villa's goal with a minute remaining pushed the U.S. women's water polo team to tomorrow's gold medal game.

The 9-8 semifinal victory wasn't easy. Australia, America's archrival, refused to depart quietly. The Americans struggled to victory after dominating much of the second half.

The U.S. bolted to an 8-5 lead with a brilliant third quarter. The Australians seemed done.

They weren't. While the American offense hibernated, the Aussies surged back. Australia tied the score, 8-8, with 2:27 left.

Suddenly, the Americans were in danger. Their fans, who had chanted "USA, USA!" the entire game, fell into silence.

Natalie Golda admitted she and her teammates were rattled.

"We were saying, 'Oh, great. Here we go,' " she said. "But at the same time we were saying, 'We are not going to lose.' "

And they didn't. Villa's shot rescued the world's No. 1 team and sent it to the finals against the Netherlands, which upset Hungary, 8-7, in the other semi.

It was Villa's third goal of the game. She's trying, in the twilight of her career, to finally grab gold.

Australian coach Greg McFadden, apparently trying to ignite his team, had guaranteed a win for his team. The guarantee did fire up at least one team.

"We heard about it," Golda said. "And it inspired us."

The Americans must play for the gold without Lauren Wenger, who suffered a fractured hand against Australia.

American coach Guy Baker said he's disappointed by Wenger's injury, but still optimistic.

Baker said he would use the next "couple days" to make "adjustments" to help ease the loss of Wenger.

SOFTBALL

AUSTRALIA KNOCKS OFF CANADIANS, 5-3

Beijing — Kerry Wyborn and Sandy Lewis drove in two runs apiece as Australia topped Canada, 5-3, today at Fengtai Softball Field.

Stacey Porter, a former University of Hawai'i standout, went 0 for 3 for Australia, which was to play Japan later today for a berth in the gold medal game against the U.S. Justine Smethurst, another former UH star, did not pitch for Australia.