Author: Neil Vierzba

Woes Continue for UMD Volleyball in Three-Set Loss to MSU-Mankato

The Bulldogs were led by Cianna Selbitschka, who had 12 kills in the contest.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD volleyball team was unable to get back on track on Tuesday, falling to MSU-Mankato at home in three sets. UMD has now lost four straight games and are 8-6 on the season. The Bulldogs were led by Cianna Selbitschka, who had 12 kills in the contest. UMD is next in action on Friday at Wayne State….

After 2nd Heartbreaking Loss, UMD Football’s Confidence Hasn’t Wavered

UMD turns their attention to the Northern State Wolves, a team they've beaten nine out of their last 10 meetings.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd time in the last four weeks, the UMD football team is coming off a heartbreaking loss. On Saturday, the Bulldogs gave up the go-ahead touchdown to Augustana with 56 seconds to go, ultimately falling to the Vikings 28 to 24. UMD turns their attention to the Northern State Wolves, a team they’ve beaten nine out…

Esko Native & Minnesota Safety Koi Perich Named Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week

Perich also landed on the Paul Hornung Award honor roll, which is presented to the Most Versatile Player in Major College Football.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko native and Minnesota freshman safety Koi Perich was recognized for his efforts in Saturday’s upset win over 11th ranked USC. On Tuesday, Perich was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week. Perich had the game-winning interception plus six tackles and a forced fumble in the contest. Number three also landed on the Paul Hornung Award…

Girls Soccer: Esko & Duluth Marshall Advance to Section 7A Semifinals

The Section 7A tournament continues on Wednesday with the semifinals taking place.

ESKO, Minn.- Monday signaled the start of the section 7A girls soccer tournament. For the 2nd straight year, Esko entered as the number one seed for the tourney. Like last season, they opened play with a 6 to 0 win over Two Harbors. Esko will next host Legacy Christian Academy on Wednesday at 6 PM. In other tournament play, Duluth…

Defending Champion Harbor Monsters Release Schedule for 2025 Season

The defending champs will kick-off the season with a championship rematch, as they'll travel to play the Iowa Woo in Week 1 on May 30th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Harbor Monsters already want you to start thinking about the Arena League 2025 season. On Monday, the team released their schedule for the upcoming campaign. The defending champs will kick-off the season with a championship rematch, as they’ll travel to play the Iowa Woo in Week 1 on May 30th. Two weeks after that, they’ll return…

USCHO Polls: UMD Women’s Hockey Stay at #3, Men Fall Out of Top 20, Shaugabay Earns Rookie Honors

The UMD women are at Wisconsin Friday. Meanwhile, the men's team is at Massachusetts Lowell.

DULUTH, Minn.- The weekly USCHO polls were released on Monday morning. After splitting with 7th ranked Colgate, the UMD women’s hockey team stays put at number three in the country. The Bulldogs continue their road trip with a weekend series against Wisconsin this Friday. Meanwhile, the men’s team has dropped out of the top 20 after losing a close one…

MN Prep Football: Duluth Denfeld, Hermantown, & Esko Clinch Week 6 Wins, Proctor Falls

Prep football teams are inching closer to section tournament play as Friday signaled week six in Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn.- Prep football teams are inching closer to section tournament play as Friday signaled week six in Minnesota. Duluth Denfeld bounced back after their first loss last week to take down Cloquet 38 to 22. The Hunters improve to 5-1 and will next play at Rock Ridge. As for Cloquet (2-4), they’ll return home to host Grand Rapids. In…

Top Play of the Week: 10/4

The Esko defense blocks the Hibbing field goal attempt and Ben Schmitz takes it back for an 80 yard scoop and score.

ESKO, Minn.- This week’s top play came from on the gridiron. The Esko defense blocks the Hibbing field goal attempt and Ben Schmitz takes it back for an 80 yard scoop and score. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Esko Girls Soccer Snaps Cloquet/Carlton’s 13-Game Unbeaten Streak

Kaitlyn McConnell scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute.

ESKO, Minn.- In a contest of two local area girls soccer powerhouses, Esko reigned supreme over Cloquet/Carlton, 2-1 on Thursday night. Kaitlyn McConnell scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute. With the loss, it snaps a 13-game unbeaten streak for Cloquet/Carlton. Both teams next head into section tournament play.   Categories: High School, Sports

CSS Football Hopes to Celebrate Homecoming By Getting Back to .500 Mark

St. Scholastica split with Macalester in the 2023 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica Saints return home this Saturday to continue conference play with a bout against Macalester. The Saints were able to get to know the Scots quite a bit last season as the two teams met twice. Scholastica picked up their first-ever win against Macalester on September 30th, 23 to 17. But then the Scots returned the…

UMD Volleyball Looks to Break Out of Funk Against Southwest Minnesota State

The Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four, including a three-set loss to St. Cloud State on Tuesday night.

DULUTH, Minn.- It hasn’t been easy for the UMD volleyball team as of late. The Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four, including a three-set loss to St. Cloud State on Tuesday night. More challenges await the team as they get set to host 4th ranked Southwest Minnesota State on Friday night. Just last season, the two teams faced…

Former Bulldog Gabbie Hughes Set to Skate for U.S.A at Rivalry Series

It's the 2nd straight year that Hughes has been picked.

DULUTH, Minn.- A former UMD women’s hockey member will don the red, white, and blue next month. On Wednesday, it was announced that forward Gabbie Hughes has been selected to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the Rivalry Series. It’s the 2nd straight year that Hughes has been picked. She’s coming off her first season in the PWHL…

UMD’s Gascon & Kraemer Earn WCHA Monthly Honors for September

This is the first monthly league honor for each player.

DULUTH, Minn.- The WCHA Player of the Month honors were revealed on Wednesday and two Bulldogs secured that accolade. For the Goaltender of the Month, that belongs to Eve Gascon, who stopped 75 of the 79 shots she saw in UMD’s lone series so far this season against Ohio State. As for Rookie of the Month, no surprise here as…

Northern Star: Jenna Anderson

Anderson has been named UMAC Defensive Player of the Week five times this season.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The libero is one of the more grittier postions in volleyball. For UWS, that job belongs to senior Jenna Anderson, who’s thriving as an unsung hero on the team. “I think for me, they say the setter is kind of like the quarterback on the court. I think the libero is. We go out there, we’re talking to…

UWS Men’s Soccer Stays Unbeaten in Conference Play By Shutting Out Northland

UWS improves to 6-2-2 on the season and will next play at Martin Luther on Saturday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s soccer team was scoring early and often in their contest against Northland on Wednesday night. The Yellowjackets put up five goals in the first half and nine goals in the 2nd en route to a 14 to 0 victory. UWS improves to 6-2-2 on the season and will next play at Martin Luther on Saturday….

Francis & 12 New UMD Faces Eager for Regular Season Opener

UMD will also face Manitoba in an exhibition contest on Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn.- Saturday will mark the start of their 2024-2025 campaign for the UMD men’s hockey team as they drop the puck with Bemidji State. Head Coach Scott Sandelin welcomed in 12 new faces this off-season as the Bulldogs undergo somewhat of a drastic change. But, Sandelin says he’s excited for what that group will bring to the fold this…

After Unexpected Bye Week, #3 UMD Women’s Hockey Heads to #7 Colgate

Bulldogs hold a 4-1 record all-time against the Raiders.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team was supposed to have two series under their belt by now. That was until travel issues postponed their home series with Syracuse this past weekend. So a bye week it was for the Bulldogs. But, they didn’t treat it like one as the team held an intrasquad scrimmage instead. Head Coach Laura Schuler…

Amsoil Arena Set to Host 2027 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four

It's the 5th time the school has been picked to host the event and 3rd time it's been held at Amsoil.

DULUTH, Minn.- A big event is coming to Amsoil Arena in 2027. On Wednesday, UMD was picked to host the 2027 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four. It’s the 5th time the school has been picked to host the event and 3rd time it’s been held at Amsoil. The most recent Frozen Four to take place in Duluth was in 2023, when…

Prep Volleyball: Esko and Hermantown Keep Win Streaks Alive, Duluth East Bounces Back

Esko wins 3-0 over Proctor, Hermantown takes down Grand Rapids 3-0, and Duluth East gets the victory over Superior 3-1.

PROCTOR, Minn.– The Esko volleyball team continued their winning ways on Tuesday, taking down Proctor, 3-0. With the win, Esko improves to 15-3 on the year. Esko will host Floodwood on Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m. For the Rails, they are back at home on Oct. 7th against Mesabi East. First serve is at 7 p.m. In other volleyball action,…

UMD Football to Hit Road for Playoff-Like Matchup Against Augustana

UMD has won their last 11 against Augustana, including a 34 to 24 victory back in November of 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a weekend to remember for Curt Wiese and his UMD football team. In the Bulldogs 62 to nothing drubbing of Southwest Minnesota State, Wiese picked up his 100th career win at UMD. That was made possible thanks to a suffocating defense that tied a program-high 10 sacks and an offense that had over 500 total yards….

Four More UWS Athletes Earn UMAC Player of the Week Honors

Jenna Anderson has won UMAC Defensive Player of the Week for five straight weeks.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Yellowjackets continue to rack up multiple UMAC player of the week honors. In volleyball, Addy Gangl was named offensive player of the week and Jenna Anderson was named defensive player of the week. It’s the 5th straight week Anderson has claimed the defensive honor. On the pitch, the men and the women each a representative. For the…

Prep Soccer: Esko & Denfeld Girls Settle for Tie, Grand Rapids Boys Pick Up 9th Win

The Thunderhawks were led by Dean Kortekaas, who had a hat trick in the victory.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Esko and Duluth Denfeld girls soccer teams gave it their all on Monday night. Ultimately, neither came away with the win. The two teams settled for the 0-o tie. Cayley Larsen had 21 saves in net for the Hunters. Duluth Denfeld will next host Duluth East on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Esko is hosting Cloquet/Carlton on Thursday. In boys…

After Two Seasons of Heartbreak, UWS Volleyball Embracing Revenge Tour in 2024

The Yellowjackets are 3-0 so far this year in divisional play and haven't dropped a set yet to their UMAC counterparts.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS volleyball team is making a case for the UMAC conference title this season. The Yellowjackets are 3-0 so far this year in divisional play and haven’t dropped a set yet to their UMAC counterparts. UWS is coming off a season in which they dropped their 2nd straight title game at the hands of Northwestern. Head Coach…

UMD Women’s Hockey Move Up to #3 in Polls, UMD Men Stay Put at #18

Both teams return to action this weekend with the women playing Colgate and the men hosting Bemidji State and Manitoba.

DULUTH, Minn.- They may have not had a game this weekend, but the UMD women’s hockey team is still moving up in the polls. The Bulldogs are now ranked 3rd in the country after previously being 4th a week ago. UMD will return to action this weekend when they play at Colgate. Meanwhile on the men’s side, no movement in…

Esko Senior Reese Kuklinski to Play College Soccer at Minot State

So far this season, Kuklinski has tallied three goals and two assists for the 8-3 Esko soccer team.

ESKO, Minn.- A current Esko girls soccer standout announced her next stop over the weekend. Senior Defender Reese Kuklinski made her verbal commitment to Minot State on her own personal instagram page. So far this season, Kuklinski has tallied three goals and two assists for the 8-3 Esko soccer team. Categories: High School, Sports

Superior’s Arianna Robillard Commits to UND Softball

In 20 games last season, Robillard registered 13 wins in the circle.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior’s Arianna Robillard will make the jump to the division one ranks next spring. Robillard comitted to the University of North Dakota, out of the Summit conference. In 20 games last season, Robillard registered 13 wins in the circle. She could also hit too as she clubbed 26 hits and had a batting average of .356. Robillard and…

Prep Football: Two Harbors, Hermantown, and Grand Rapids Grab Week 5 Wins

Week 5 of Prep Football Kicks off in Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn.—Friday night signaled Week 5 for prep football teams in Minnesota. Two Harbors took down Esko 55-26 on Friday night, improving to 4-1 on the year. The Agates next game will be against Rock Ridge. For Esko, they will face off against Hibbing next Friday. In other action, Grand Rapids defeated Duluth East 47-14. The Thunderhawks next game will…

Top Plays of the Week: 9/27

At number one, Hermantown's Martin Sleen gets loose against Rock Ridge and breaks one for an 87 yard rushing touchdown.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays came from both on the volleyball court and on the football field. At number two, Cloquet’s Ahnna Carlson lays out for the ball to set up her teammate Ella Anderson with the impressive return. At number one, Hermantown’s Martin Sleen gets loose against Rock Ridge and breaks one for an 87 yard rushing touchdown….

Prep Volleyball: Proctor & Cloquet Earn Lake Superior Conference Wins

Two and a half weeks remain in the regular season.

PROCTOR, Minn.- In a Lake Superior conference matchup on Thursday night, Proctor protected their home court against Superior. The Rails went on to defeat the Spartans in four sets. Proctor will next host Esko on Tuesday. As for Superior, they’ll host Duluth East on Tuesday. In other volleyball action, Cloquet earned a road victory against Duluth Denfeld, winning in four…

Coming Off Sweep of Buckeyes, #4 Bulldogs Ready for Home Opener Against Syracuse

UMD has never played Syracuse before.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team went into to Columbus and came out with a sweep against the then top ranked Buckeyes last weekend. Now, the 4th ranked Bulldogs will be welcomed home as they get set to face a team they’ve never seen before. That would be the Syracuse Orange, who are coming off a 7-24-3 record from…

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…