SOCCER : WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP : Akers-Stahl’s 5 Goals Put U.S. in Semifinals

Michelle Akers-Stahl set a tournament record with five goals as the United States overwhelmed Taiwan, 7-0, to reach the semifinals of the FIFA Women’s World Championship Sunday.

The Americans will face European champion Germany in the semifinals Wednesday.

In the other matches, Sweden defeated China, 1-0, Norway beat Italy, 3-2, in overtime, and Germany downed Denmark, 2-1, in overtime.

Akers-Stahl, taking the tournament scoring lead with eight goals, scored the first three goals as the U.S. took a 4-0 halftime lead.

“My teammates set up most of those goals,” Akers-Stahl said. “I’m not the type of player who can dribble through three people, so most of my goals are a team effort.”

Joy Biefeld and Julia Foudy also scored for the U.S., which has outscored its opponents, 18-2, in four games.