WOMEN’S SOCCER : Jennings, Heinrichs Key 5-2 Win; For U.S., It’s First Berth in a Final

CANTON, China —  Carin Jennings scored three goals in the first half and April Heinrichs scored two in the second to send the United States into the final of the first women’s world soccer tournament, beating Germany, 5-2, Wednesday night in the semifinals.

The United States, which has never won a world soccer title at any level, will play Norway in Saturday night’s final. Norway beat Sweden in the other semifinal, 4-1.

Jennings put the United States ahead in the 10th minute when she scored off an errant back pass, then she made it 2-0 in the 21st minute when she took a pass from Mia Hamm at midfield and took advantage of another mistake by Germany’s defense and scored her sixth goal of the tournament for a 3-0 lead.

The United States went ahead, 4-1, in the 13th minute of the second half, when Jennings took the rebound of her own shot and sent a cross that Heinrichs volleyed in. Germany closed to 4-2 on Bettina Weigmann’s goal in the 61st minute, but Heinrichs scored her fifth goal of the tournament with six minutes left.