Hopkins seniors Rachael St. Clair, Corbin Boyd and Gretchen Patterson have a second chance to redeem a short stint at the state tournament.

The three girls were members of the Royals’ soccer team, which made its first appearance in the Class 2A state tournament just a few weeks ago. However, Hopkins exited after one game, losing to eventual state champion Eagan 3-0 in the quarterfinals.

St. Clair said the loss didn’t dampen the experience and made her - and her teammates - eager to return.

“It was super exciting,” she said. “We’re hoping to continue that in hockey.”

The senior forward helped keep alive the hope of another trip to state, recording a goal and two assists in Hopkins' 3-1 win over Orono in a nonconference matchup Tuesday at the Minnetonka Ice Center. The victory is the third in a row for the Royals (4-1), ranked No. 11 in the Class 2A coaches poll.

St. Clair is Hopkins' second-leading scorer with six goals and 12 points through five games. She had nine goals and three assists last year.

Hopkins coach Chris Erickson said St. Clair’s skills provide the Royals with plenty of assets as they attempt to clinch a state berth.

“She brings a lot of high energy,” he said. “She’s a very quick skater and she’s smart. She makes a lot of stuff happen with her speed and opens up room for (her teammates), as well,” Erickson said.

She’s also humble and honest. 

St. Clair was originally credited for her team’s second goal but admitted that the puck came off teammate Kylie Hanley’s stick.

“I didn’t think it was mine,” she said. “I thought she had it in.” 

The scored was corrected and credited to Hanely in the scorebook, but the Royals don’t care which teammate gets credited for the goal, Erickson said. 

“As long as the puck goes to the net and they’re doing things right, they’re very good at that,” he added.

St. Claire, Boyd and Patterson had less than a week between soccer and hockey seasons, but that hasn’t seemed to slow down their play.

“It’s all fun. It’s good,” said St. Clair, who added that her favorite sport of the two is whichever one she’s playing at that time. 

Erickson said he is happy to have the three players back on the ice and ready to work to another state appearance.

“They feel the pain - after a loss in soccer or a loss in hockey - they feel it, and they just get more hungry to come back,” he said.

Senior forward Rachael St. Clair had a goal and two assists as Hopkins defeated Orono 3-1 in a nonconference matchup Tuesday at the Minnetonka Ice Arena.

Senior defender Grace Bizal and freshman forward Kylie Hanely each scored a goal for the Royals, No. 11 in the Class 2A coaches poll.

Hopkins got off to a quick start, netting two goals before a little more than four minutes in the first period.

St. Clair set up Bizal, who wristed a shot past Spartan goalie Maddie Carlson to give the Royals a 1-0 lead at the 3:09 mark of the first period. 

St. Clair added another assist one minute later on freshman Kylie Hanley’s goal.

Orono’s defense steadily picked up in the second period. The Royals had three power-play opportunities but were unable score. 

Senior forward Brooklyn Duffy had an unassisted goal that closed the Spartans’ deficit to 2-1 in the third period, but St. Clair sealed the victory for Hopkins when she lofted the puck into the net with less than two minutes to play in the game. Senior defender Gretchen Patterson earned the assist on the goal.

Carlson finished with 33 saves, while Hopkins goalie Molly Dionne had 22.

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