SASKATOON, Saskatchewan -- Stacey Nuveman drove in two runs and the United States held off Australia 4-3 in the opening playoff game of the Women's World Softball Championships on Friday night.

Team USA improved to 8-0 in the tournament and earned a spot in the 2004 Olympics with the victory.

"A berth to the Olympics is great, but were here to win a gold medal and anything less will be a disappointment,'' said Nuveman, whose two-run single in the fifth inning gave Team USA a 4-0 lead.

Seeking its fifth consecutive World Championship title, Team USA advanced to the winners bracket to face Japan, a 5-0 winner over China.

The United States saw its streak of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run in the championships end at 173. The last earned run scored against the team came from Chinese Taipei on Aug. 2, 1994.

Australia (6-2) dropped to the losers bracket and will face Chinese Taipei in an elimination game Saturday.

With Team USA leading 4-0, Australia scored three runs in the sixth to chase starter Jennie Finch, but Lisa Fernandez came in and earned the save.

Team USA took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Fernandez's RBI groundout and Lovieanne Jung's sacrifice fly.

Sandra Allen hit a two-run double, and Peta Edebone an RBI single in Australia's three-run sixth.