Women's Olympic Soccer 2012: Stars Shining on Soccer's Biggest Stage

Coming off the exciting 2011 Women's World Cup, the ladies of soccer have continued the excitement into the 2012 Olympic Games. And the stars of the sport are shining as bright as ever.

Without the assistance of a consistent and thriving league, women's soccer has to survive on the international stage. And they only get two years to do so. Thankfully, they provide the fun and excitement everyone loves.

And this tournament does not even include second-ranked Germany in its field.

Through the first slate of games, 22 goals were scored in the six matches. 15 in the second round of matches alone. This is partially due to some mismatches, but also because of some downright brilliant strikes.

The opening match between the U.S. and France has maybe been the most exciting soccer match of the Olympics, for both genders. France's Gaëtane Thiney and the U.S.' Carli Lloyd have two of the most beautiful strikes in the tournament.

The best player in the world, Marta, has struck for two goals and her Brazilian counterpart, Cristiane, has as well. In fact, it is Cristiane who is the all-time Olympic leading scorer with 12 goals and counting.

Team Great Britain has already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, and have a chance to top the group if they can upset Brazil. They have also found another emerging star in Steph Houghton.

Defending World Cup champion Japan and Sweden have already advanced to the quarters. Sweden stealthily moved past Brazil in the FIFA rankings just prior to the Games. Also in Group F, Canada is nearing their quarterfinal berth.

With the U.S. and France poised to take the top two spots in Group G, that leaves North Korea and Group E's New Zealand fighting for the final spot in the quarters. If it is North Korea that advances, the quarterfinals will feature eight of the top 10 ranked sides.

Watching the best teams in the world compete against one another is what makes the women's tournament at the Games so special.

And when stars like Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Marie-Laure Delie, Christine Sinclair, Aya Miyama, Lisa Dahlkvist and a host of other stars light it up it is a pleasure to watch. They give the crowd their money's worth.

No longer are the days of watching one star on the pitch. Every match features an exciting player to watch. The women lay it all on the line and rarely take their foot off the gas pedal. Top teams like the U.S., Brazil and France look to score until the refs blows their whistle, even when they should try to close a match out.

Parity is starting to finally creep in to the women's game, and it is a welcome sight. More quality teams with even more fantastic players providing hair-raising action.

Between the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics the women have given the world some of its most exciting soccer. As the high-stakes drama continues in London, expect to be put on the edge of your seat once again.