Two former Minnesota Gophers combined on the game-winning goal at 14:52 of the second period to give the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey Team a 3-2 victory over the Hopkins' Boys Varsity Saturday at the Hopkins Pavilion.

Monique Lamoureux broke a 2-2 tie with a breakaway goal at 14:52 of the second period. Her twin sister Jocelyne assisted on the goal. The Lamoureux's played for the University of Minnesota last year before transferring to the University of North Dakota.

The U.S. Women scored first on Caitlin Cahow's goal at 9:13 of the first period. Hopkins tied it up on a power-play goal by Archie Skalbeck at 15:41 of the first period, only to give the lead back just over a minute later on a power-play goal by Hillary Knight.

Hopkins tied the game 2-2 at 2:04 of the second period on a goal by Matt Hazuka.

Neither team could score in the third period, but it was not for a lack of chances. The U.S. Women outshot Hopkins 19-14 in the final period -- the women won the shots-on-goal battle 33-27 for the game -- but they needed two big saves from goalie Julie Vetter on breakaways by Skalbeck to maintain their lead.

The U.S. Women will face another boys' varsity team Tuesday, Dec. 8, when they play Eagan at the Eagan Civic Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Jim Paulsen