SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ U.S. star Maureen O'Toole's last few moments in the water will remain cloudy. Her dreams of gold, though, have passed into history.

Australia's Yvette Higgins shot from outside the 7-meter zone with 1.3 seconds to go, scoring the winning goal in a 4-3 victory over the United States and winning the first-ever women's Olympic gold Saturday night.

Coach Guy Baker argued that Higgins had to pass before her direct shot. But referees and FINA officials who were there disagreed, ending the American's golden drive at the Sydney Games.

"I don't really want to get into the fact it was a bad call," said O'Toole, who has won everything you can in water polo except Olympic gold.

After a cool-down period, Baker and his players brushed off any controversy and were complimentary of their winning hosts.

"It seems like a very anti-climatic way to end," U.S. captain Julie Swail said. "We fought hard for the tie."

The Americans had tied things up on Brenda Villa's goal with 26 seconds left. But a foul on Swail set up the crazy final moments that may never be topped as long as the women's game remains an Olympic sport.

"I really didn't know what to do," said Higgins of her game-winner. "I saw everybody jumping in the air, and I thought, 'We won, I'll jump in the air too."'

Baker jumped at the referees gesturing that the goal should not have counted.

When asked what he said, Baker responded, "Good game. I plan to keep coaching."

The crowd of near 17,000, the largest to attend a women's game, at the Sydney International Aquatic Center wanted to let loose. But held its breath until the result was declared final.

Gianni Lonzi of FINA's water polo committee was at poolside. He said through a spokesman that the call stands.

"I thought it was a fair game," Australian coach Istvan Gorgenyi said.

It was a game of wild swings and emotional highs, as organizers had hoped when they added women's water polo after nearly 100 years as a men's only Olympic event.

Naomi Castle thrilled the crowd with 1:50 to go with her shot from the left side that gave Australia a 3-2 lead.

But after Taryn Woods was whistled for a foul, Brenda Villa scored with 26 seconds remaining to deadlock things and perhaps set up the tournament's first-ever overtime.

It wasn't to be. An apparent Australian goal was disallowed because of a U.S. foul. Then the Aussies set it out for Higgins, who rifled it past goalie Bernice Orwig with scant seconds left.

No one knew what to do. Fans wanted to cheer, but the goal judge had not made a call. And Baker was rushing up the pool deck asking for clarification and extra time.

The official notice set off bedlam and brought a close to the Olympics' first women's event.

Earlier, Russia beat Netherlands 4-3 on another late comeback to win the bronze.

The United States had not won a water polo medal since consecutive silvers in 1984 and 1988. Its women had locked on to a gold run with O'Toole, a 39-year-old who unretired when Olympic officials accepted her sport.

She's leaving the game to raise her 8-year-old daughter, Kelly. She had hoped to have a gold medal to remember her career by. Instead, she'll savor the silver and memories of one of the greatest careers her sport has seen.

Her U.S. teammates applauded O'Toole when she received her silver medal. The Australians applauded her as well.

"She's a legend, a living legend," Australian captain Bridgette Gusterson said.

O'Toole, her eyes red but with a wide smile, said it would take time to get over this. "Maybe a few days, a few weeks, or months," O'Toole said. "But I'll be able to put this aside. This has been the greatest experience for me."

(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)