Knowing it could lose three or more key players next year to the 2006 U.S. Olympic team, recruiting was crucial for Minnesota’s women’s hockey team this year.

So, the signing of Gisele Marvin and Dagney Willey to national letters of intent came at a good time Friday

Marvin, a Warroad, Minn., native, had 141 career goals and 172 assists entering her senior season. The forward could be a key to filling the void current juniors and Olympic hopefuls Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell should leave.

Willey, of Maple Grove, Minn., will come to the Gophers from the Minnesota Whitecaps. Like Marvin, her role could be important in filling the void

left by current sophomore defender and Olympic hopeful Lyndsay Wall. Willey is also a competitive boxer and a veteran of the Osseo High School boy’s junior varsity team.

Men’s golf signs Kelley

Minnesota’s men’s golf team announced the signing of Minnetonka, Minn., high schooler Robbie Kelley on Friday.

Kelley was a 2004 all-state selection at Hopkins High School. He became the youngest player ever to qualify for the Minnesota State Junior Match Play as a 14-year-old.

Women’s golf inks two

Minnesota’s women’s golf team announced a pair of signings Friday.

The Gophers signed Phoenix native Sydney Liles and Tamuning, Guam, native Young Na Lee to national letters of intent.

Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked Liles the third-best senior in Arizona, and Lee is the top-ranked player in Guam.