BEIJING — A breakout performance by Dutch star Danielle de Bruijn ended the gold medal dreams of the U.S. women's water polo team yesterday as the Americans fell, 9-8.

De Bruijn scored seven of the Dutch team's nine goals.

Iefke Van Belkum, a University of Hawai'i alum, scored a goal for the Netherlands. Backup goalkeeper Meike De Nooy, another former UH player, did not play.

The U.S. team won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a bronze at the 2004 Athens games.

Thursday's match was the last for several of the players, including de Bruijn, who said she planned to retire.

"It's great to play like this in your last game," de Bruijn said.

U.S. coach Guy Baker called de Bruijn's shooting "up there with the great performances."

"I thought we did OK, but they just outplayed us," Baker said. "We could never quite get over the hump. We were tied (8-8 in the final minute) but we couldn't get the lead."

The Australian team won the bronze, beating Hungary in a penalty shoot-out.