WASHINGTON — Natasha Kai had already scored two goals, and when another ball went off her foot into the back of the net, the reality of her accomplishment hit home.

It was the first career hat trick for Kai, who led the U.S. women's soccer team to a 6-0 win against Canada in a friendly at RFK Stadium yesterday.

"My mind was just like, 'Oh. My. Goodness.' I'm still kind of shocked," Kai said.

Kai said it was her first hat trick since she played at the University of Hawai'i. All three goals came in a 19-minute span in the second half when the Americans' lead went from 1-0 to 5-0.

Kai, a Kahuku High alum, had the strongest performance, but she wasn't the only one.

Carli Lloyd scored in the 63rd minute, in between Kai's second and third goals, and Leslie Osborne added a goal in the 87th minute.

Kai has 10 goals this year, passing Abby Wambach for the team lead. Wambach, who is five goals short of 100 for her career, has nine goals this year.

"Natasha's a goal-scorer," Wambach said. "Natasha's one of those players that can disappear for minutes on end, but when you put her in the penalty box, she's deadly."

U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said she wasn't always inspired by Kai. When Sundhage first watched her in January, she felt Kai had an unprofessional attitude and wasn't in shape. In the months since, Kai's attitude has changed.

"She was just wonderful today," said Sundhage. "You get inspired just watching her."