HALMSTAD, Sweden (Reuters) – The United States retained the Solheim Cup yesterday when they crushed Europe 8.5-3.5 in the final session of singles and finished 16-12 ahead overall at Halmstad in Sweden.

A point behind at 7.5-8.5 going into the 12 singles, Paula Creamer made sure that the United States would get the 14 points needed to retain the Cup when she went dormie three up on Maria Hjorth.

Rookie Nicole Castrale then beat Bettina Hauert 3 and 2 to claim the victory and extend the overall lead to 7-3.

"This is just awesome," said Castrale, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season with her first LPGA victory at the Ginn Tribute in Florida in June. "I played really well and this is one of the best years of my life.

It is the only the second time that an away team has come out on top – the first was when the United States won at St. Pierre in Wales in 1996.

Europe won the top match with Catriona Matthew defeating Laura Diaz by 3 and 2, but it was a rare blue point.

Pat Hurst, Juli Inkster, Angela Stanford, Stacy Prammansudh and Morgan Pressel all won full points while Sherri Steinhauer won the final hole to secure a half against Becky Brewerton before Castrale completed the business.

Pressel, the youngest Solheim Cup player at 19, claimed one of the biggest scalps of the day, beating former world number one, Annika Sorenstam, by 2 and 1.