Associated Press
Tuesday, February 17, 1998; 10:14 a.m. EST

CONCORD, N.H. — There were cheers before dawn in many New Hampshire homes this morning as the U.S. women's hockey team won an Olympic gold medal in Nagano.

Richard and Donna Harding did their cheering in Salem as the Americans beat Canada, 3-1.

Richard Harding coached team member Katie King when she began playing hockey at 5 or 6, and they have remained close friends.

"Even at a young age, she was very competitive,'' Harding said while watching a delayed telecast of the game. "She was a hard worker. She never got tired of it. She would show up for extra skating. She worked hard for what she had.''

"I am very proud,'' he said.

The Hardings are planning a welcome home celebration for King on March 8, including a banquet open to all at 7 p.m. at Rockingham Park, and a chance for children to meet the hockey player at a mall later in

King's roommate at Brown, Becky Keller, was one of her opponents this morning on the Canadian Olympic team.

Several other players have ties to the state, including goalie Sarah Tueting, who went to Darmouth.

Two New Hampshire radio stations broadcast the game live, starting at 4 a.m.