Northern Star: Mary Kate O’Brien

O'Brien is the granddaughter of an irish immigrant.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s not very often you get to play a college hockey game overseas. But the UMD women’s hockey team is doing just that as they’ll face Harvard in Northern Ireland.

“Very excited to go to Ireland,” with a laugh said O’Brien.

All joking aside, it’s a pretty special occasion for UMD forward Mary Kate O’Brien.

“My grandpa was born there. He emigrated here when he was 16 and then had my mom. So a lot of my mom’s side of the family is from Ireland. But we’re from Southern, like the republic of Ireland,” added O’Brien.

O’Brien last visited the country a few years ago and still has plenty of memories during that trip.

“Lot of green, lot of rain. Very pretty though, like very very pretty. I’ve never been in the winter. I went in the summer but yeah I’m excited, lot’s of castles and stuff so,” said O’Brien.

It’s not going to be all about sight seeing though as the Bulldogs are there to win against Harvard and whoever comes after that.

“I think they’re going be a very well disciplined team. Lu was always big on that and like the details. Very similar to how we operate here. So I can imagine they’re going to be similar in structure to us and very hard working,” added O’Brien.

UMD will face Harvard on Friday at 9 AM.