US women beat Netherlands 3-1 in exhibition

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Christen Press scored twice and the U.S. women’s team beat the Netherlands 3-1 in an exhibition Tuesday night that extended the Americans’ unbeaten streak to 31 games.

Tobin Heath put the Olympic champions ahead in the 36th minute. Sydney Leroux went around Kirsten van de Ven and crossed for Press, who laid off the ball for Heath to curl into the corner for her eighth international goal.

Press made it 2-0 in the 45th, running onto a through pass by Leroux and calmly stroking the ball past goalkeeper Loes Geurts from just inside the penalty area. Press needed no help in the 60th, charging through the heart of the defense and driving a low shot into the far corner for her sixth goal in seven international appearances.’

Outshot 19-5, the Dutch got a goal in the 81st minute when Manon Melis lobbed goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.

The Americans tied Germany 3-3 Friday in the opening of the two-game tour, and in his eighth game since taking over U.S. coach Tom Sermanni made 10 changes to the starting lineup and kept his most experienced players on the bench

Abby Wambach didn’t play and remained at 155 international goals, three behind Mia Hamm’s record. Captain Christie Rampone and veteran midfielder Shannon Boxx also started on the bench.

Geurts tipped a powerful long-range drive by Yael Averbuch before the Dutch succumbed to the relentless pressure. Julie Johnston had a header disallowed for offside in the 72nd minute.