Author: Neil Vierzba

Northern Star: Taye Manns

In the first four games of the season, Manns has found the end zone 18 times, tying his season total from a year ago.

DULUTH, Minn.- Dolphins legend Mercury Morris once said “In practice, I run every play like I’m scoring a touchdown.” Duluth Denfeld running back Taye Manns has been doing the same this fall, except he’s doing it in games. In the first four games of the season, Manns has found the end zone 18 times, tying his season total from a…

Duluth Denfeld Football Gearing Up for Potential Section Title Game Preview at North Branch

The Hunters have shown their ability to put up points in the first four weeks of the season, averaging 56 per game.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s hard to top the matchup going on in North Branch Friday evening as the 4-0 Duluth Denfeld Hunters visit the defending section 7AAAA champs in the North Branch Vikings. The Hunters have shown their ability to put up points in the first four weeks of the season, averaging 56 per game. But the most the Vikings have…

After Successful Road Trip, UMD Football Turns Attention to Southwest Minnesota State

UMD owns a 29-7-1 all-time record against Southwest.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team was looking to bounce back this past Saturday as they traveled to play UMary. And that they did, as they dominated in all facets of the game en route to a 43 to 7 thumping. The Bulldogs now turn the page to another team they’ve had success against in recent years. And that’s the…

UMD Women’s Hockey to Play in Belfast Friendship Series in January of 2026

The Belfast Friendship Series is the first and only NCAA division one women's hockey tournament to take place outside of North America.

DULUTH, Minn.- An opportunity of a lifetime awaits the UMD women’s hockey team next season. The Bulldogs will travel to Belfast, Ireland in January of 2026 to play in the Belfast Friendship Series. They’ll be joined by Boston University, Quinnipiac, and Laura Bellamy and Harvard. The Belfast Friendship Series is the first and only NCAA division one women’s hockey tournament…

Hermantown Boys Soccer Starts Out Fast to Take Down Grand Rapids

Hermantown improves to 8-2-2 and will next play at Superior on Thursday.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Hermantown boys soccer team protected their home turf on Monday, defeating Grand Rapids 3 to 1. The Hawks’ Owen Landrigan kick-started the scoring with a goal just 14 seconds into the contest. Hermantown improves to 8-2-2 and will next play at Superior on Thursday. As for Grand Rapids (6-4-2), they’ll host Superior on Tuesday. Categories: High School,…

Former CSS Quarterback Zach Edwards Named 2024 ELF Offensive Player of the Year

Edwards, who's on the Paris Musketeers, threw for 3,057 passing yards with 34 touchdowns.

DULUTH, Minn.- A former St. Scholastica quarterback collected some hardware for his stellar season in the European Football League. Zach Edwards was named the 2024 ELF offensive player of the year over the weekend. Edwards, who’s on the Paris Musketeers, threw for 3,057 passing yards with 34 touchdowns. He could also run the ball too, tallying 792 rushing yards and…

UMD Men’s Hockey Ranked 18th in USCHO National Poll

UMD is coming off a year in which they went 12-20-5 and were unranked to finish the season.

DULUTH, Minn.- Soon it will be the start of the season for the UMD men’s hockey team. And on Monday, the first USCHO national poll was released. The Bulldogs cracked the top 20 as they are ranked 18th to start the season. UMD is coming off a year in which they went 12-20-5 and were unranked to finish the season….

Gascon & Kraemer Earn WCHA Weekly Honors, Hermantown Native Ella Anick Named Defender of the Week

UMD returns home this weekend to host Syracuse.

DULUTH, Minn.- Two members of the UMD women’s hockey team picked up WCHA honors after playing key roles in their sweep against top ranked Ohio State. Goaltender of the Week was given to Eve Gascon, who stopped 75 of the 79 shots she saw against the Buckeyes. That’s the most saves in a series in her career. The two wins…

Top Plays of the Week: 9/20

At number one, Denfeld's Taye Manns breaks another lengthy run as he finds the end zone in the Hunters' win over rivals Duluth East.

DULUTH, Minn.- For this week’s top plays, both came from on the gridirion. At number two, Northwestern’s Ricky Ericksen shows he’s been paying attention to the tip drill in practice as he picks up an INT against Cumberland. At number one, Denfeld’s Taye Manns breaks another lengthy run as he finds the end zone in the Hunters’ win over rivals…

Duluth Denfeld Runs Past Rivals Duluth East, Northwestern Bounces Back

Duluth Denfeld improves to 4-0 on the season and the Tigers get a bounce back win.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld football team defeated Duluth East on Friday, 48 to 14 to improve to 4-0 on the season. The Hunters next game is on the road against North Branch on Sep. 27. For the Greyhounds (2-2), they will host Grand Rapids next Friday. Over in Wisconsin, the Northwestern Tigers defeated Cumberland 68 to 6. The Tigers…

South Shore Names Jolene Anderson as New Girls Basketball Head Coach

Anderson takes over a team that went 23-3 and made a regional appearance.

PORT WING, Wis.- One of the all-time greats at South Shore High School and a Superior native is making her return to the Cardinals this winter to lead the girls basketball team. Jolene Anderson has been named the head coach of the program. She’s the second all-time scoring leader in program history just behind Port Wing native Megan Gustafson. Anderson…

Former Bulldog Luke Loheit Joins Kansas City Mavericks of ECHL

In his final season at UMD, Loheit posted career-highs in goals and assists with 10 each.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog Luke Loheit has landed on his feet after being released from a tryout contract with the Wild the other day. Loheit has joined the Kansas City Mavericks, who are the ECHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. This will be Loheit’s first pro team as he just wrapped up his five-year career with the Bulldogs this past…

Duluth Marshall Girls Hockey Forms Co-Op with North Shore

Marshall went 22-4-1 in the 2023-2024 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls hockey team will merge with North Shore for the upcoming season. The Duluth News Tribune’s Jamey Malcomb was the first to report the co-op. The reason for the change is the Hilltoppers are faced with low numbers after making their fourth straight Section 7A title game appearance last year. The plan is to hold…

Duluth Marshall Girls Soccer Gets Revenge in Section 7A Rematch Against Esko

Marshall is next in action on Saturday as they'll travel to face LILA.

DULUTH, Minn.- After falling to Esko in the Section 7A title game in 2023, Duluth Marshall had some redemption on Thursday. The Hilltoppers defeated Esko on their homefield 3 to 2 to improve to 5-1-2 on the season. Marshall is next in action on Saturday as they’ll travel to face LILA. Esko falls to 7-2 on the season and will…

Former Wilderness & UMD Goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo Joins Bruins on Tryout Contract

Kaskisuo played at UMD from 2014 to 2016.

DULUTH, Minn.- A former Bulldog and Wilderness goalie will have the chance to make his return to the NHL. Kasimir Kaskisuo has agreed to a professional tryout contract with the Boston Bruins. Kaskisuo last suited up in the NHL in 2020 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then, he’s played overseas in Sweden and most recently was with the Montreal…

UMD Volleyball Set to Open Conference Play with Bouts Against Winona & Concordia-St. Paul

UMD has won their last two against Winona but have lost their last eight to Concordia-St. Paul.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thursday marks the start of conference play for the 11th ranked UMD volleyball team as they’ll put their undefeated record to the test against the 6-3 Winona State Warriors. It also is the beginning of quite the weekend schedule as UMD also has a matchup with the 10th ranked Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears on Saturday. Head Coach Jim…

Duluth East & Duluth Denfeld Boys Soccer Settle for 0-0 Tie

Cannon Peak had 10 saves in net for the Hunters. On the other end, Gray Knutson had five saves for the Greyhounds.

DULUTH, Minn.- In the annual rivalry game between the Duluth East and Duluth Denfeld boys soccer teams, neither came out as a winner. On Wednesday night, the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie. Cannon Peak had 10 saves in net for the Hunters. On the other end, Gray Knutson had five saves for the Greyhounds. Duluth Denfeld will play…

Schuler & UMD Women’s Hockey to Drop Puck Against #1 Ohio State to Open Season

UMD's last win against Ohio State came on December 3rd of 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team will begin a new era on Saturday as Laura Schuler will coach in her first game as head coach of the Bulldogs. And what a way to start as UMD heads to Columbus to face the defending national champions and the 1st ranked team in the country, Ohio State. The Bulldogs will look…

UW-Superior Claims Two More UMAC Athlete of the Week Honors

It's the 3rd straight week UWS has had two or more player of the week winners.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UW-Superior continues to earn UMAC Player of the Week honors. It’s just two student-athletes this week and they are volleyball’s Jenna Anderson, who has now won the defensive player of the week for the 3rd straight week. Anderson is joined by Nate Burke, a men’s golfer who was the top finisher at the UMAC Preview last week. Back…

Prep Volleyball: Esko & Duluth East Claim Straight Set Victories

Esko earned their 12th win of the season. Meanwhile, Duluth East claimed their 5th.

ESKO, Minn.- In a battle of two of the area’s best volleyball teams, Esko reigned supreme over Grand Rapids on Tuesday night. Esko took down the Thunderhawks in straight sets, improving to 12-2 on the year. In other prep volleyball action, Duluth East earned their 5th win by defeating Proctor in straight sets.   Categories: High School, Sports

Superior’s Paige Johnson Commits to Play for UMD Softball

Last season, Johnson was a Wisconsin D1 Honorable Mention as she batted .521 with eight home runs and 31 RBI's.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior softball’s Paige Johnson announced her college commitment on Tuesday evening. She won’t have to travel far for her next team as she’ll suit up for the Bulldogs in 2026. Last season, Johnson was a Wisconsin D1 Honorable Mention as she batted .521 with eight home runs and 31 RBI’s. Johnson also got it done defensively, boasting a…

Hain & Sandelin Invited to Wild Training Camp, Loheit Released From Tryout Contract

The Wild's training camp begins on Thursday.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Two former local standouts will join the rest of the Wild roster at their upcoming training camp. Hermantown’s Ryan Sandelin and Grand Rapids’ Gavin Hain were among Iowa Wild players who were invited to the pro camp. Hain has been with in the Wild’s system since he wrapped up his college career with North Dakota in 2023….

After Heartbreaking Loss, UMD Football Looks to Bounce Back at UMary

UMD will look to extend their all-time record to 17-0 against UMary.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time since 1999, the UMD football team is coming off a loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead. A heartbreaker of a defeat that saw the Dragons win on the final play of the game on Saturday. Tuesday, signaled the start of a new work week for the team as they prepare for their upcoming contest against the…

Former UWS Men’s Basketball Standout Josef Fahrenholtz Turning Pro in Norway

Fahrenholtz just wrapped up his Yellowjacket career last winter, playing in 98 games and totaling 2,000 minutes and 1,042 career points.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A former UW-Superior standout is going pro. Forward Josef Fahrenholtz has signed a contract with the Nidaros Jets, out of the top league in Norway. Fahrenholtz just wrapped up his Yellowjacket career last winter, playing in 98 games and totaling 2,000 minutes and 1,042 career points. He’s not the only former Yellowjacket on the Jets roster as he…

Dubinsky, Gallatin, & Pierce Named Alternate Captains for UMD Men’s Hockey

Dominic James was previously named as the captain of the team back in May.

DULUTH, Minn.- We now know who will join Dominic James as captains of the UMD men’s hockey team for the upcoming season. Defenseman Aiden Dubinsky, Owen Gallatin, and Joey Pierce will all serve as alternate captains. James was previously named as the captain of the team back in May. The trio have contributed greatly the past couple of seasons. Dubinsky…

Nottingham Panthers to Retire Adam Johnson’s #47 Jersey in December

On Tuesday, the team announced they are retiring his number 47 jersey before their game on December 14th.

HIBBING, Minn.- Hibbing native Adam Johnson will be forever remembered in Nottingham Panthers history. On Tuesday, the team announced they are retiring his number 47 jersey before their game on December 14th. Johnson tragically passed away after an on-ice incident while playing for the UK-based team last October. More details about the jersey retirement ceremony will be released at a…

Former UMD Softball Head Coach Lynn Anderson Joins SIUE as Assistant Coach

Just this past year, Anderson led the Bulldogs to a 41 and 15 record.

DULUTH, Minn.- We now know where former UMD head softball coach Lynn Anderson’s next step is. Anderson was announced as the new assistant coach for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Monday. She spent the last three seasons at UMD, amassing 120 victories. Just this past year, Anderson led the Bulldogs to a 41 and 15 record. Back in August, UMD appointed…

Hermantown Boys Soccer Shuts Out Duluth Marshall to Clinch Road Victory

Owen Landrigan had the lone goal for the Hawks in the victory.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Hermantown boys soccer team continued their winning ways on Monday, defeating Duluth Marshall 1 to 0. Owen Landrigan had the lone goal for the Hawks in the victory. Hermantown will next play at Grand Rapids on Thursday. As for Duluth Marshall, they’ll be at Hibbing/Chisholm on Friday. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Picked 7th for USCHO and 4th for WCHA, Gascon Named to All-WCHA Preseason Team

UMD plays at Ohio State on Saturday to begin the season.

DULUTH, Minn.- We have officially entered game week for the UMD women’s hockey team. But before they get back to action. Monday, the annual USCHO.com poll came out and the Bulldogs slot in at number seven in the country. UMD finished their 2023-2024 campaign one spot lower at number eight. Overall, the WCHA had the top three spots in the…

Former Bulldog Cole Spicer Makes Return to Hockey

Cole Spicer is now a member of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL.

DULUTH, Minn.- He may not be on the Bulldogs roster anymore but Cole Spicer made his return to hockey over the weekend. Spicer is now a member of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. He started at center on the first line in their preseason contest against the Chicago Steel. The Saints drafted him in the 6th round of…

Prep Football: Cloquet & Esko Earn Week 3 Victories, Two Harbors & Superior Fall

In Minnesota it was week three on Friday night. As for Wisconsin, it was week four.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet football team earned their first win of the season on Friday, defeating previously unbeaten Duluth East 47 to 22. The Lumberjacks improve to 1-2 on the season and will next play at Rock Ridge on September 20th. Duluth East will look to rebound next week against rival Duluth Denfeld. In other prep football action, Esko extended…

Coaches Corner: Blane Tetreault

In Tetreault's first season at the helm, the Greyhounds are off to a 3-0 start.

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s coaches corner, we’re joined by Blane Tetreault of the Duluth East football team. In Tetreault’s first season at the helm, the Greyhounds are off to a 2-1 start. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Former Bulldog Goaltender Alex Stalock Retiring After 15 Seasons as a Pro

Stalock had NHL stints with the Sharks, Wild, and Blackhawks.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog goaltender Alex Stalock is calling it a career after 15 seasons as a pro. Stalock is set to join the Sharks Audio Network as a Color Commentator for the upcoming season. He orginally was selected by San Jose back in 2005 in the fourth round. Stalock also had stints with the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks…

Boys Soccer: C-E-C Tops Duluth East, Denfeld and Superior Settle for Tie

C-E-C will next play Grand Rapids on Saturday at noon.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton picked up a hard fought win on Thursday, defeating Duluth East 2-1. The two teams were tied at one at the half, before C-E-C pulled away in the 2nd half. C-E-C will next play Grand Rapids on Saturday at noon. As for Duluth East (4-4-1), they will host Moorhead on Saturday. In other prep boys soccer…

St. Scholastica Announces 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

The ceremony takes place October 5th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of St. Scholastica announced their 2024 Hall of Fame Class set to be inducted next month. They are Adian Kummet, who was a four-time All-UMAC first team selection in baseball. Stephen Voelkner, who earned All-UMAC honors his first three years on the CSS football team. Kristi Erickson, a softball standout, who clubbed 64 hits in the…

Quiet 1st Half Leads to Big 2nd as UWS Men’s Soccer Picks Up First Win Against CSS

UWS (1-1-2) will next play at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UW-Superior men’s soccer team finally was able to put one in the win column on Wednesday, defeating St. Scholastica 5 to 1. After the two teams were tied at zero at the half, the Yellowjackets broke out in the 2nd putting up five goals. UWS (1-1-2) will next play at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. CSS (0-4-1) hosts…

UMD Men’s Hockey Picked to Finish 7th in NCHC Preseason Poll

UMD is coming off a season in which they went 12-20-5 and were 8-14-2 in conference play.

DULUTH, Minn.- The NCHC preseason poll was released on Wednesday afternoon. After finishing 7th last season, the UMD men’s hockey team is picked to finish 7th again this year according to the poll. The Bulldogs received 115 points, which was 12 behind the 6th spot, Western Michigan. UMD is coming off a season in which they went 12-20-5 and were…

UMD Volleyball Moves Up to #14 in AVCA Poll

After a 4-0 start to the season, the UMD volleyball team is moving up in the polls.

DULUTH, Minn.- After a 4-0 start to the season, the UMD volleyball team is moving up in the polls. UMD jumped to #14 this week in the AVCA Poll after being 16th a week ago. The Bulldogs earned 565 points from their peers in the poll. Next up for UMD is the Up North Tournament in Michigan this upcoming weekend….

Four More UWS Student-Athletes Earn UMAC Player of the Week Honors

It's the 2nd straight week the school has had four athletes earn UMAC honors.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Four more UWS fall student-athletes earned UMAC Player of the Week honors on Tuesday. They are volleyball’s Jenna Anderson, Connor Willard of men’s golf, and cross country runners Zach Reese and Simone Stephens. For Anderson, it’s the 2nd straight week she’s been named the defensive player of the week. Willard took first at the Twin Ports Collegiate. Reese…

UMD Football to Retire Reed Ryan’s Number Before Home Opener Against MSU-Moorhead

Ryan will be the first Bulldog football player to have his number retired.

DULUTH, Minn.- After a 35-7 season-opening win back on August 29th against Northern Michigan and a bye week this past weekend, the UMD football team returns to action this upcoming Saturday for their home opener versus Minnesota State- Moorhead. Recent history has been on the Bulldogs side as they’ve won the last 20 meetings between the two squads. But, before…

Duluth East Boys Soccer Hands Grand Rapids 1st Loss of Season

Duluth East (4-3-1) will next play at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton on Thursday night.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East boys soccer team did something that no other team has done so far this season, and that’s defeat Grand Rapids. The Greyhounds had four different goal-scorers in the contest to take down the Thunderhawks 4 to 1 on Tuesday night. (Z. Wallerstein, B. Mitchell, A. Bolf, J. Meyer.) Duluth East (4-3-1) will next play at…

After Four Seasons at the Helm, Sean Morgan Steps Down as Duluth FC Head Coach

Just this past season, Morgan led the BlueGreens to a 2024 NPSL North title and a Midwest Regional title.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth FC head coach Sean Morgan is stepping down after four seasons at the helm. It’s been a memorable run for Morgan and that started in his very first season as he led the BlueGreens to the playoffs in 2021. Just this past year though was perhaps his best as the team won the 2024 NPSL North Championship,…

Former Harbor Monsters Wideout KJ Felder Jr. Joins Corpus Christi Tritons of National Arena League

Felder Jr. joins QB Ja'Vonte Johnson and DB De'Ron Maxwell as former Harbor Monsters now turned Tritons.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another Duluth Harbor Monsters player has joined the Corpus Christi Tritons for the upcoming season. Wide receiver KJ Felder Jr. is the latest to sign with the National Arena League team. Just this past season, Felder Jr. had seven total touchdowns for the champion Harbor Monsters. He joins QB Ja’Vonte Johnson and DB De’Ron Maxwell as former Harbor…

Superior Volleyball Earns 2nd Straight Victory with Sweep of Duluth Marshall

The Spartans improve to 4-10 on the season and will next play at Eau Claire North on Tuesday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior volleyball team continued their winning ways on Monday, defeating Duluth Marshall in straight sets. The Spartans improve to 4-10 on the season and will next play at Eau Claire North on Tuesday. As for Duluth Marshall, they’ll be at Northeast Range on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Football Moves Up Three Spots in Latest D2Football.Com National Poll

UMD previously was ranked #23 in the country last week.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team may have not had a game this past weekend. But, they still moved up in the latest D2Football.com national poll. The Bulldogs are now ranked 20th in the country. UMD now enters game week again as they’ll prepare for their home opener against MSU-Moorhead on Saturday. Kick-off is at 2 PM at Malosky Stadium….

Moose Lake’s Mallory Hartl to Play College Hockey at Providence College

Hartl has protected the net for the Rebels the last five seasons.

MOOSE LAKE, Minn.- A current Moose Lake goaltender will make the jump to the division one ranks once her time with the Rebels is done. Goaltender Mallory Hartl announced her commitment to Providence College over the weekend. Hartl has protected the net for the last five seasons. During that time, she’s had a saves percentage over 86 percent. Hartl also…

St. Scholastica Men’s Soccer Settles for Tie with Old UMAC Rival Northwestern

The Saints (0-3-1) will next be in action on Wednesday, hosting UW-Superior at 2 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- After starting the season at 0-3, the St. Scholastica men’s soccer team settled for the 2-2 tie on Monday with Northwestern. A 2nd half goal by Elijah Seehof-Flory gave the Saints a 2-1 lead over Northwestern in the 2nd half. But, the Eagles eventually rallied back to tie the game. Aiden Olson was the other goal-scorer for CSS….

Former Husky Isaac Collins Makes Major League Debut with Brewers

Collins last played for the Huskies in the summer of 2017.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.- It was a day to remember for former Duluth Husky Isaac Collins on Sunday. Collins made his major league debut for the Milwaukee Brewers, starting in left for the team. In his very first at bat, Collins wasted no time as he ripped a single right up the middle for his first career hit. He last played for…