Young, fast and furious. Those are the words that should describe the women's soccer team. USA went up against Russia for the gold medal. USA stayed mostly in the offense field and giving Russia a few heart skips of their own, as they would always be so close getting their balls past the goalie.

Virginia Keeler battles the goalie for the ball in the final game.

Virginia Keeler and Katie Romano started off the game with possession of the ball. The score was 0-0 until the 30th minute when Kelli Beechy scored in a goal, gaining one point for USA. The first round ended on a good note, then USA got even more determined in the second half.

Russia's defense was incredibly good, but that did not stop Keeler and Beechy from scoring two more goals, bringing the score to 3-0. Erin Coppedge got a goal in while the goalie was down, but the score didn't count because Coppedge kicked it in from inside the white goal line. The final score was USA 3, Russia 0.

USA stood between Russia and Great Britain on the podium to receive the coveted medals and becoming the first defenders of the gold medal in Deaflympics history. Most of the USA players will be sure to come back to the 2009 Games, as they are young, fast and furious.

The closing ceremonies started at seven o'clock Sunday evening. The USA athletes joined the mass of other athletes waiting in a field behind Olympic Park, lining up to march in the stadium. The mood was very jovial and harmonious. During the opening ceremonies, the athletes had to stay with their own countries and not mix with each other while walking in the parade.

This time it was different. The athletes mingled with each other as all went across the track field and waved to fans and parents in the stands. It seemed like half the athletes and even coaches traded jackets or hats with each other. A USA player would get a Swedish jacket or a Denmark player would trade for an Italian hat. Everyone stood around the field and said their last words with each other before going home to their countries.

Among athletes under age 25, USA's beach volleyball bronze medalist Tamijo Foronda was selected as hearing aid manufacturer WIDEX's Athlete of the 2005 Deaflympics for fair play and sportsmanship. Foronda's selection was announced at the Closing Ceremonies. Due to NCAA regulations regarding amateurism and collegiate sports in the United States, she is unable to accept the financial reward that came with the recognition.

USA went out with a bang, winning four gold medals in a row (USA men's and women's basketball; Lindy Decker in the Masters' tournament bowling; and USA women's soccer) as well as honoring Foronda for her performance.

The 2005 Deaflympics started out with individual countries but at the end it became a melting pot. All athletes are forever bound in unity and, yes, each other's clothes!