Author: Neil Vierzba

Two Rivers Spoils Season & Home Opener for C-E-C Boys Soccer

Collin Young had the lone goal for the Lumberjacks.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team began their season on Friday against another state tournament team from a year ago in Two Rivers. After scoring less than eight minutes into the contest, C-E-C let up two goals to end the half and that proved to be the difference maker as they fell to Warriors, 2-1. Collin Young had the…

Prep Volleyball: Hermantown Sweeps Marshall, Duluth East Rallies Past Blaine

For the fourth straight year, Hermantown began their campaign with a straight set victory over Duluth Marshall.

DULUTH, Minn.- A number of area volleyball teams began their regular seasons on Thursday night. For the fourth straight year, Hermantown began their campaign with a straight set victory over Duluth Marshall. The Hawks (1-0) return home Tuesday to face Esko. Duluth Marshall (0-1) continues their homestand by taking on Proctor on Tuesday. In other volleyball action, Duluth East dropped…

Wieck to Make Return to Iowa as Bulldogs Battle Hawkeyes in Exhibition Game

Wieck joined the Hawkeyes as a walk-on forward in the 2004 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD men’s head coach Justin Wieck will be making a return to his alma mater this season. On October 25th, he will lead his Bulldogs against the University of Iowa in an exhibition game. Wieck joined the Hawkeyes as a walk-on forward in the 2004 season. He was a part of two straight NCAA tournament appearances and one…

Hermantown’s Dylan Samberg to Compete at PGA Manitoba Open

It's a return to the sport where he once tied for 3rd at the AA Boys Golf State Tournament in 2016.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Former UMD and Hermantown defenseman and current Winnipeg Jet Dylan Samberg is set to compete at the PGA Manitoba Open this upcoming weekend. It’s a return to the sport where he once tied for 3rd at the AA Boys Golf State Tournament in 2016. Samberg is also reunited with former teammate Ryan Sandelin, who is set to serve…

Duluth East Girls Soccer Hoping Retooled Roster Helps Make Next Step

Duluth East's season begins on Thursday as they host Woodbury.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East girls soccer team has gradually improved over the past couple of seasons. They took a step further in 2023 by posting a 12-4-2 record with an appearance in the 7AAA semifinals. However, it’ll be interesting to see how the beginning of 2024 goes for the team as they deal with a whopping 15 seniors gone…

UMD Football’s Pitz & Williams Land on Reece’s Senior Bowl Watchlist

Pitz and Williams are the first Bulldogs since Brent Laing in 2021 to be named to the Reece's Senior Bowl Watchlist.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD football’s Sam Pitz and Aiden Williams have had plenty of preseason recognition this off-season. That continued on Wednesday, when the duo was named to the 2025 Reece’s Senior Bowl watchlist. It’s the 3rd time each player has landed on a watchlist as they previously were named to the East/West Shrine Bowl watchlist and the D2football.com Elite 100…

Cloquet Volleyball Looks to Fill Void of 5 Seniors Lost From a Year Ago

Cloquet's first game of the season will come on August 27th at Duluth East.

CLOQUET, Minn.- For three straight seasons, the Cloquet Volleyball team has competed for the Section title in 7AAA. And in all of those three seasons they’ve fallen just short to Grand Rapids. With a new campaign on the horizon, the Lumberjacks will look to kick down the door this year. But, they will have to do so with a number…

Hermantown’s A.J. Francisco to Play College Hockey at Notre Dame

Just this past season, the defenseman and forward tallied 13 goals and 17 assists.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Hermantown’s A.J. Francisco is set to play for Notre Dame beginning in the 2026-2027 season. Just this past season, the defenseman and forward tallied 13 goals and 17 assists in his only year on the Hawks varsity team. This upcoming winter, Francisco is set to skate for the U.S. National Under-17 Team, joining fellow Hermantown native Victor Plante…

Esko’s Sam Haugen Set to Join Brother Cale on MSU-Mankato Baseball Team

In Haugen's junior season with Esko, he hit .444 with 36 hits and 33 runs batted in.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko’s Sam Haugen knows where his next home will be. And it just so happens to be with his brother Cale at Minnesota State- Mankato. On Wednesday, Haugen confirmed his commitment to the Mavericks in a Twitter post. In Haugen’s junior season with Esko, he hit .444 with 36 hits and 33 runs batted in. He also reached…

Duluth East Girls Tennis Takes Down Crosstown Rivals Duluth Denfeld

The Greyhounds are now 2-2 on the season and will next face Buffalo and Hermantown on Wednesday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East girls tennis team picked up their 2nd win of the season on Tuesday, defeating Duluth Denfeld 5 to 2. Singles: No. 1 – Maria Oppelt, Denfeld def. Cedar Fischer, Duluth East, 6-4 , 6-4. No. 2 – MacMillan Anissa, Denfeld def. Nora Good, Duluth East, 6-3 , 4-6 , 10-8. No. 3 – Mae McCall,…

Northland College Head Softball Coach Cora Zackrison Resigns After Two Seasons

In her years leading the Lumberjills, the team went 10-39 overall, including an 8-12 conference record in her first year.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College is in search of a new head softball coach after Cora Zackrison resigned after two seasons. In her years leading the Lumberjills, the team went 10-39 overall, including an 8-12 conference record in her first year. She also coached UMAC First Team All-Conference member Kaylee Harnack during her reign. The school says a search for her…

Mixed Bag of Veterans & Rookies Make Up 2024 UMD Volleyball Team

UMD's season begins on September 6th at the Texas A&M Kingsville Invitational.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD volleyball team is coming off another successful campaign in 2023, which resulted in the team’s 2nd straight NCAA tournament appearance. Monday, marked the beginning of the road to trying to make it a 3rd straight appearance as the team held their first practices. The Bulldogs return a lot of experience from a year ago, including four…

Coaches Corner: Greg Anderson

Anderson is competing at nationals this weekend at the Brainerd International Raceway.

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with NHRA pro stock driver and Duluth native, Greg Anderson. Anderson is competing at nationals this weekend at the Brainerd International Raceway. He has two victories so far in the 2024 season. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Professional Sports, Sports

Top Plays of the Week: 8/16

At number one, Hassan Brockman rolls to his right and then fires near the sidelines to KJ Felder JR., who goes up and over the boards and still hangs on!

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays features plenty of Harbor Monsters. At number two, talk about right place right time, Harbor Monsters QB Ja’Vonte Johnson throws it up to Moe Strong and it’s batted down right into the hands of LeDarian McAllister for six. At number one, Hassan Brockman rolls to his right and then fires near the sidelines to…

Celebration for UMD Hockey Legend Mike Sertich Announced

The legendary UMD head hockey coach passed away last week after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

DULUTH, Minn.- A celebration for Mike Sertich has been announced for next month. The legendary UMD head hockey coach passed away last week after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. A visitiation and service is set for September 13th at the DECC. The visitiation will go from 12 to 2 pm and the service will begin at 2 PM. Sertich…

Longtime Assistant Rob Downs Named New Head Coach of Superior Boys Hockey

Former head coach Evan Nelson is staying on the staff as an assistant coach.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior boys hockey coaching staff has shaken up a bit. Evan Nelson is stepping down as the head coach after two seasons at the helm. Longtime assistant Rob Downs is set to take over after 19 seasons on the staff. Nelson isn’t leaving the team though as he’s expected to serve as an assistant this upcoming season….

Duluth Native Greg Anderson Enters Crucial Weekend of Racing at NHRA Nationals

Anderson, who is the 2nd winningest driver in NHRA history, has already had a successful season so far, picking up two wins.

BRAINERD, Minn.- For the 2nd straight year, Duluth native and pro stock driver Greg Anderson is making his way to Brainerd to compete in the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals. Anderson, who is the 2nd winningest driver in NHRA history, has already had a successful season so far, picking up two wins. Anderson says this weekend’s races are crucial for himself…

UMD Men’s Cross Country Picked to Finish 3rd, Women Slotted at #6 in NSIC Preseason Polls

Jack Van Kempen and Franny Seidel were named to the players to watch list.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s and women’s cross country squads learned where they stand as the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Thursday morning. The men were picked to finish 3rd after placing 2nd at the NSIC Championship last year. As for the women, they’re slotted in at number six after also going 6th at the NSIC Championship a year…

Proctor Football Embracing Youth Movement & Stewardship

Proctor kicks off the year August 30th in Hermantown.

PROCTOR, Minn.- It’s been a couple of learning years for the Proctor football team as the team went 2-7 in both 2022 and 2023. But, with the start of a new season optimism is high for the Rails. They may have only four seniors on the rosters this year, but head coach Matt Krivinchuk is enjoying the first week of…

Northland College Picks Jake Bobrowski to Lead Women’s Hockey Program

Bobrowski is the 4th head coach in program history.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College announced on Wednesday that Jake Bobrowski is the new head women’s hockey coach. Bobrowski comes from PWHL Minnesota, where he was an assistant for the Walter Cup Champions. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Elmira University and also spent time at the University of Minnesota. Bobrowski is the 4th head coach in program…

Esko Football Hitting Reset Button Heading into 2024 Campaign

Esko opens the year on August 29th at home against Duluth East.

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko football team has established themselves as a Section 7AAA powerhouse in recent years. Three straight section titles and three straight state tournament appearances. If they want to make it four, they’ll have to do so with plenty of new talent. Esko graduated 18 seniors, including the number one prospect in the state of Minnesota, Koi Perich….

UMD Names Nat Wagner as New Head Softball Coach

Wagner will lead a Bulldog squad that is coming off a 41-15 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD softball has a new head coach. On Wednesday, the school announced Nat Wagner is set to take over for Lynn Anderson, who was at the helm for the last three seasons. Wagner comes from St. Thomas, where he was an assistant coach for the Tommies for two years. He has plenty of experience in the NSIC as…

Duluth Denfeld Football Looks to Build Off Successful 2023 Season

The Hunters will begin the season on the road for the first two weeks. First, traveling down to Mora and then heading north to Grand Rapids.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld football team had their best season in a long time, posting a 7-2 record in 2023 and was one of the last team’s in the picture for the Section 7AAAA title. Like many teams this week, the Hunters are putting that in the past as they gear up for a new year. There’s plenty of…

UMD Announces Partnership with 218 Champions Collective

The collective aims to support UMD athletes from all sports who want to earn money off their name, image, or likeness.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday, UMD announced a partnership with the 218 Champions Collective. The collective aims to support UMD athletes from all sports who want to earn money off their name, image, or likeness. The alliance between the two partners will provide prospective donors and businesses the opportunity to make contributions through the collective that can fit any budget. Memberships…

Junior Heavy Cloquet Football Squad Set to Get First Taste of Varsity

Cloquet will hit the field for their first game on August 30th when they host Two Harbors.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet football team’s 2023 season was filled with some ups and some downs. It featured a three-game winning streak followed up by a four-game losing skid as the Lumberjacks ended the year at 3 and 6. Even more of a challenge was the team had just one home game due to MCCU Stadium dealing with construction for…

Cloquet Native Westin Michaud Named Head Coach/GM of Austin Ice Bats

Michaud last suited up for C-E-C in the 2012 and 2013 season.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Former Cloquet hockey standout Westin Michaud is making the switch to a coaching career. Late last week, Michaud was named the head coach and general manager of the Austin Ice Bats of the NA3HL. The one-time Lumberjack forward just wrapped up a four-year pro career having stints in the AHL, ECHL, EIHL, and lastly playing overseas in Slovakia…

UMD Soccer Picked to Finish 8th in NSIC, Haugen & Tobias Named Players to Watch

UMD is coming off a 6-7-6 a year ago.

DULUTH, Minn.- The NSIC Coaches Preseason Poll was released on Tuesday morning. Coming in at number eight was the UMD Bulldogs, who finished 6-7-6 a year ago. The conference players to watch list was also revealed and it included two Bulldogs. They are Baamlak Haugen and Anna Tobias. Haugen played a key role in the UMD defense as they held…

Hermantown Football Ready for Another Tough Section Slate

Hermantown kicks off their regular season with the annual Hammer Game against Proctor on August 30th.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Hermantown football team has come close to making it back to state tournament in recent years. But, the wait from the 2018 season is still on. Monday, marked the first step in the process towards achieving that goal, with the team holding their first practice of the year. Mike Zagelmeyer returns to lead a veteran heavy Hawks…

Rock Ridge Hires Local Hockey Great Matt Niskanen as New Head Boys Hockey Coach

Niskanen played 13 seasons in the NHL and won Lord Stanley in 2018 with the Washington Capitals.

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Rock Ridge high school has a new boys hockey coach. Virginia native and former Stanley Cup winner Matt Niskanen is set to take over for the Wolverines. He was approved 5 to 1 by the school board Monday evening. Niskanen played 13 seasons in the NHL and won Lord Stanley in 2018 with the Washington Capitals. He played…

New Coach, New Mentality for Duluth East Football Team

Duluth East's first game is August 29th at Esko.

DULUTH, Minn.- It was the start of a new beginning for the Duluth East football team as head coach Blane Tetreault led the Greyhounds in his first practice on Monday. Tetreault has over 100 players, grades nine through 12, out for football this season. The Greyhounds will look to turn things around after posting just a 1-8 record in 2023….

UMD Football to Enter Season Ranked #17 in AFCA D2 Coaches Poll

The Bulldogs are one of four NSIC teams in the top 25, joining Augustana, Minnesota State-Mankato and Bemidji State.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team learned their AFCA Division two ranking heading into the season on Monday. The Bulldogs come in ranked at number 17, the highest preseason ranking they’ve had since the 2021 season. UMD finished their 2023 campaign slotted as the 25th team in the country. The Bulldogs are one of four NSIC teams in the top…

Harbor Monsters Reflect on Becoming First-Ever ArenaMania Champions

Duluth finishes their first-ever season with an overall record of 7-3.

DULUTH, Minn.- You hear the phrase game of the year thrown out there quite a bit. But, that’s exactly what it was on Saturday night when the Duluth Harbor Monsters clashed with the Iowa Woo for the right to be crowned as the first-ever ArenaMania champion. In a back and forth scoring battle, the Harbor Monsters made the big plays…

Late Rally Not Enough as Huskies Drop Game One of Playoffs to Loggers

The series shifts to Duluth on Monday with first pitch at 6:35 PM.

LA CROSSE, Wis.- The Duluth Huskies opened up postseason play on Sunday. Unfortunately, the team trailed the whole contest, falling 12 to 6 to the La Crosse Loggers. After going down 11-1 in the 5th, Duluth put up two runs in the 7th and three runs in the 8th, but that’s as close as they would get. Jake Downing went…

Harbor Monsters Take Down Woo in ArenaMania Thriller

The Harbor Monsters finish their first year with an overall record of 7-3.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Harbor Monsters ended their season with the league’s top prize on Saturday. In a game that went back and forth with the Iowa Woo, Duluth was able to halt a late onside conversion with two seconds left to hold on for the 46 to 44 ArenaMania win. Hassan Brockman and Javonte Haynes were named the MVP’s…

Huskies Handle Honkers to Clinch Playoff Spot

The Huskies close out the regular season on Saturday against Rochester once again.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies are heading to the playoffs. On Friday, the team defeated the Rochester Honkers 4 to 1. Then, received some help from Madison, who topped Eau Claire 7 to 2, to clinch a spot in the postseason. The Huskies close out the regular season on Saturday against Rochester once again. First pitch is at 6:35 PM….

Top Plays: 8/9

At number one, Harbor Monsters corner Dontae Mason tracks down the tipped ball and then falls into the end zone for the pick six.

DULUTH, Minn.- This weeks top play comes from on the gridiron. At number one, Harbor Monsters corner Dontae Mason tracks down the tipped ball and then falls into the end zone for the pick six. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, Professional Sports, Sports

Harbor Monsters Set to Clash with Woo in Inaugural ArenaMania

Duluth leads the regular season series over Iowa, winning two out of the three meetings.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been a memorable first season for the Duluth Harbor Monsters. And for them the cherry on top would be the inaugural ArenaMania champions. But the jobs not finished, as they have one more game and one more team to get through. That would be the Iowa Woo, who shocked top seeded Kansas City last week with a…

Bucks Earn Split with Huskies, Duluth & Eau Claire Remain Tied for First

The Huskies will begin their final series of the regular season on Friday, hosting the Rochester Honkers at 6:35 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies were unable to pull off the sweep on Thursday, falling to the Waterloo Bucks 11 to 8. With the loss and Thunder Bay defeating Eau Claire, Duluth remains tied for first with Eau Claire in the Great Plains East Division. The Huskies will begin their final series of the regular season on Friday, hosting the…

UMD Football’s Pitz & Williams Pick Up Another Preseason Honor

The duo was previously named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000 Watchlist.

DULUTH, Minn.- Graduate Tight End Sam Pitz and sixth-year offensive lineman Aiden Williams were named to the D2football.com Elite 100 Watch List on Thursday. Pitz was the lone tight end listed on the first team. As for Williams, he earned 2nd team honors. This is the 2nd preseason accolade for the duo as they were previously named to the East-West…

Superior’s Jackson Marthaler Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

Just last season, Marthaler skated in 18 games for the Spartans. He had six goals and one assist.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-  The UMD men’s hockey team has added another key recruit for the class of 2026. Superior’s Jackson Marthaler is staying close to home. He made the official announcement on his own personal Instagram page Thursday afternoon. Just last season, Marthaler skated in 18 games for the Spartans. He had six goals and one assist. Marthaler is set to…

Former Bulldog Player & Coach Michelle McAteer Named New WCHA Commissioner

McAteer skated for UMD from 1999 to 2003 and was a part of the Bulldogs only three-peat.

DULUTH, Minn.- The WCHA has a new commissioner and she just so happens to be a former Bulldog player and coach. Thursday, it was announced that Michelle McAteer has been selected to lead the conference. McAteer skated for UMD from 1999 to 2003 and was a part of the Bulldogs only three-peat, winning titles in 2001, 2002, and 2003. She…

UMD Volleyball Picked 5th in NSIC Preseason Poll, Paulsen Named Player to Watch

UMD received 148 points in the poll.

DULUTH, Minn.- The NSIC preseason volleyball poll was released on Thursday. Coming in at number five was the UMD Bulldogs, who received 148 points. Wayne State, Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State, and lastly Southwest Minnesota State were the teams ahead of UMD. In other Bulldog volleyball news, senior right side hitter Samantha Paulsen was named to the Player to Watch…

Newly-Formed Ironwood Lumberjacks to Begin Play in September

The Lumberjacks first home games will come on September 13th and 14th.

IRONWOOD, Mich.- SIJHL hockey is coming to Ironwood this September. On Wednesday, the board of governors approved the move of the Wisconsin Lumberjacks to Ironwood. The team will now be called the Ironwood Lumberjacks. They’ll play their home games at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center and the team’s first-ever home games will take place on September 13th and September 14th….

Longtime UMD Men’s Hockey Coach Mike Sertich Passes Away

Sertich led the Bulldogs from 1982 to 2000.

DULUTH, Minn.- Legendary UMD men’s head hockey coach Mike Sertich passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday. Sertich led the Bulldogs from 1982 to 2000, guiding the team to three WCHA regular season titles, two league playoff titles, and four NCAA tournament berths. He also was named WCHA Coach of the Year four times and was the first…

Huskies Top Bucks to Force First Place Tie with Express

Duluth closes out their series with Waterloo on Thursday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies kept pace for their push to the playoffs on Wednesday. After Waterloo tied the game at 1 in the top of the 8th, Duluth responded with two unanswered runs to take down the Bucks, 3 to 1. With the Duluth win and Thunder Bay defeating Eau Claire, the Huskies and Express are now tied for…

Mesabi Range Men’s Basketball Coach Tamara Moore Steps Down, Joins Mavericks as Scout

Moore made history with the Norsemen, becoming the 1st African American woman to coach a men's college basketball program.

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Mesabi Range head men’s basketball coach Tamara Moore is stepping down after four seasons. Moore made the official announcement on her own personal Twitter page on Wednesday. She made history with the Norsemen becoming the 1st African American woman to coach a men’s college basketball program. Moore is making the jump to the pros as she is joining…

Justin Richards Heading Overseas to Continue Pro Career in Germany

It's Richards first stint overseas as he played in the Rangers, Blue Jackets and Sabres organizations for the past four seasons.

DULUTH, Minn.- Nick Swaney wasn’t the only former Bulldog to put pen to paper recently. On Tuesday, former center Justin Richards joined Dusseldorfer EG of the German Hockey League. It’s Richards first stint overseas as he played in the Rangers, Blue Jackets and Sabres organizations for the past four seasons. He was most recently with the Rochester Americans of the…

Nick Swaney Departs Wild Organization to Join Hurricanes AHL Team

Swaney was in the Wild organization for the past four seasons.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog Nick Swaney is no longer a free agent. Late last week, Swaney signed with the Chicago Wolves, who are the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Swaney was in the Wild organization for the past four seasons. After dealing with an injury for most of the year, Swaney skated in seven games for the Iowa Wild….