Mia Hamm scored her second hat trick in three games as the U.S. womenÆs national team routed Canada 4-0 in New Britain, Conn., to open U.S. WomenÆs Cup æ97. HammÆs goals broke open a game in which the U.S. dominated its North American rival but could only manage a 1-0 halftime lead. Hamm, who scored three times against England on the Nike Victory Tour, was also the target of most of CanadaÆs 12 fouls. CanadaÆs Sara Maglio earned a caution for a harsh tackle on Hamm in the 59th minute. Tiffeny Milbrett had the only goal of the first half. Christie Pearce took a Kristine Lilly through ball into the right side of the Canadian box, beat a defender and crossed into the six-yard box. Milbrett slotted the ball past goalkeeper Nicci Wright at the far post. The match had a definite North Carolina flavor as HammÆs former Tar Heel teammate Lilly and Debbie Keller each assisted on goals, and young Tar Heel star Laurie Schwoy made her international debut. Schwoy, the 1996 Soccer America Freshman of the Year, came on as a substitute for yet another former Tar Heel, Tisha Venturini, in the 56th minute. The match was a homecoming of sorts for Lilly, a native of nearby Wilton. She set up the second goal in the 58th minute when she drove down the left wing and cut the ball back to the top of the Canadian box, where Hamm fired a left-footed rocket into the right corner. A poor clearance by Wright resulted in HammÆs second goal in the 64th minute. Keller intercepted WrightÆs punt and fired a shot past the onrushing goalie. KellerÆs effort died in the long grass, but Hamm was there to knock it in from five yards out. The final goal came off a corner kick by Julie Foudy from the right side. Hamm flew past a defender for a diving header at the near post to give her 75 goals in 128 appearances for the U.S. In the other opener, Italy shut out Australia 3-0 in Salem, N.H. ù by Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz