Author: Neil Vierzba

Former UMD Goaltender Hailey MacLeod Joins Ohio State

MacLeod ended her two-year stint in Duluth on March 20th, when she entered the transfer portal.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD goaltender Hailey MacLeod has found her next team. On Wednesday, she committed to the national champion, Ohio State Buckeyes. MacLeod would play in 19 games for UMD this past season. In those contests, she posted a 11-5-2 record and had a saves percentage of nearly 95 percent. MacLeod ended her two-year stint in Duluth on March…

Grand Rapids Baseball Opens Season with Shutout Road Victory in Superior

The Thunderhawks were led by Easton Sjostrand, who struck out 10 and would only allow one hit on the mound.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The quest for a 4th straight trip to state began on Tuesday for the Grand Rapids baseball team. In their first game of the season, they would shut out Superior 10-0 in five innings. The Thunderhawks were led by Easton Sjostrand, who struck out 10 and would only allow one hit on the mound. Grand Rapids (1-0) will…

After 11-Game Win Streak Snapped, UWS Softball Battles Back for Split with UW-Stout

Zoe Thomson would play hero in game two, crushing a two-run walk-off home run.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior softball team would see their 11-game winning streak come to a close on Tuesday as they fell to UW-Stout 5 to 2. The good news is they had a quick turn around as it was a twin bill between the Blue Devils and Yellowjackets. In game two, both teams were deadlocked at 6 in the bottom…

CSS Softball Drops Two to Augsburg in Home-Opening Series

The St. Scholastica softball team played their first home games on campus on Tuesday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica softball team played their first home games on campus on Tuesday. After taking a 2-0 lead over Augsburg in the first game, the Saints would let up four unanswered runs to drop game one 4 to 2. In game two it would once again go the Auggies way by a final of 2-0. CSS (3-17)…

UMD Goaltender Zach Stejskal Becomes Latest Bulldog to Enter Transfer Portal

Stejskal is the 4th Bulldog this off-season to enter the portal, joining Blake Biondi, Luke Johnson, and Kyler Kleven.

DULUTH, Minn.- Cohasset native and former Grand Rapids Thunderhawk Zach Stejskal is looking for a new college home. After spending the last four seasons at UMD, Stejskal entered the transfer portal on Tuesday morning. In that time, he would accumulate 22 wins in net and would have a saves percentage of at least 88 percent each season. Stejskal is the…

UMD Basketball Assistant Ryan Kirsch Named Head Coach at Iowa Central CC

In his two years, he was a part of a staff that guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament twice.

DULUTH, Minn.- A UMD basketball assistant is moving up the coaching ranks. Ryan Kirsch, who spent the last two seasons at UMD, has accepted the head coach position at Iowa Central Community College. In his two years, he was a part of a staff that guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament twice. UMD was also 52-17 during that time….

Superior Girls Lacrosse Prepping for First-Ever Home Game

Superior's roster is about a 50/50 split of players who have played club lacrosse before or have never played the sport at all.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Back in February, the Superior school board voted to make girls and boys lacrosse a co-curricular sport. Fast forward to now, and the two teams are gearing up for their first-ever home games. The Superior girls squad is led by Dustin Anderson, a former longtime soccer coach who’s also played lacrosse recreationally. His roster is about a 50/50…

Northwestern QB Gavin Williams to Play College Football for St. Scholastica

Williams had a total of 4 touchdowns in the 2023 season.

MAPLE, Wis.- Northwestern Quarterback and safety Gavin Williams will join the St. Scholastica Saints next fall. After dealing with an elbow injury for most of the season, Williams would only play in 3 games for the Tigers. In those contests, he would throw for 296 yards with 3 touchdowns. He also had another score on the ground with 84 yards…

UMD Forward Quinn Olson Signs Pro Deal with Ontario Reign

Olson skated for the Bulldogs for the past five seasons.

DULUTH, Minn.- A 3rd UMD men’s player is heading to the pros. The latest being Quinn Olson, who signed a deal with the Ontario Reign of the AHL. The Reign are an affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. Olson skated for the Bulldogs for the past five seasons. His best year wearing a UMD sweater came in the 2021-2022 season…

Drew Blair Named Finalist for Trevor Hudgins & Bevo Francis Awards

Both award winners will be announced this upcoming Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- Drew Blair could end his Bulldog career with some prestigious awards. On Friday, Blair was named a finalist for both the Trevor Hudgins and the Bevo Francis Award. The Stevens point native had quite the last hurrah for UMD as he became the program’s all-time scoring leader with 2,772 points. Blair would also lead the team in points,…

Murray’s OT Goal Lifts Wilderness Past Jr. Blues in Minnesota’s Regular Season Home Finale

With the 1-0 victory, the Wilderness move ahead of the Chippewa Steel for the final spot in the playoffs.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Minnesota Wilderness would close out the home portion of their regular season schedule on Friday with a win. It would take overtime between the Jr. Blues and the Wilderness. But just two minutes in, Nate Murray sent the fans home happy with a game-winning goal. With the 1-0 victory, the Wilderness move ahead of the Chippewa Steel…

Wayne State Spoils Home Opener for UMD Baseball Team with Doubleheader Sweep

UMD will once again face Wayne State in a doubleheader on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn,- After 25 games on the road, the UMD baseball team would finally have their home opener on Friday, hosting Wayne State in a doubleheader. Unfortunately, the Wildcats would take both games by a final of 6 to 0 and 4 to 3. In the bottom of the 9th of game two, UMD would strand the game-tying run at…

Minnesota Wilderness Approved to Bring In NA3HL Team

The specific location of the new Wilderness team is still to be determined.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Minnesota Wilderness will soon be bringing another hockey team to Northeastern Minnesota. On Thursday, it was announced that the team was approved for the purchase of the Minnesota Loons, a NA3HL team that is currently based in Breezy Point. Wilderness Owner Barry Bohman plans to move the team and rebrand them as the Minnesota Wilderness of the…

Former Bulldog Hunter Shepard Recalled by Washington Capitals

Shepard has played in four games this season so far for Washington. In those contests, he's posted a 2-1-1 record with a saves percentage of .894.

ARLINGTON, V.A.- Cohasset native and former UMD goaltender Hunter Shepard has once again gotten the call-up to the pros. The Capitals recalled Shepard from their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears on Thursday The move was made in order to help out with Darcy Kuemper’s ongoing back injury. Shepard has played in four games this season so far for Washington. In…

UMD Women’s Hockey Lands Commitment From Quinnipiac Senior Nina Steigauf

The Oakdale native is coming off a career-year with the Bobcats. In 37 games played, she would post 16 goals and 16 assists.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team continues to add to their roster. Earlier this week, they secured a commitment from Quinnipiac senior forward Nina Steigauf. The Oakdale native is coming off a career-year with the Bobcats. In 37 games played, she would post 16 goals and 16 assists. She’s the 2nd known player to join the Bulldogs this off-season….

Prep Baseball: Duluth East & Duluth Marshall Open Seasons with Wins Against Cloquet

The Greyhounds (1-0) will next face Duluth Denfeld on April 9th. Meanwhile, Marshall (1-0) will next play at Aitkin on April 11th.

DULUTH, Minn.- More local area baseball teams would have their season openers on Thursday. In the first game of a doubleheader at Wade Stadium, Duluth East would top Cloquet 7 to 4. The Greyhounds were led by Dylan Cole, who was four for four with two runs batted in. On the mound, Bjorn Lind went four innings with 10 strikeouts….

Jr. Blues Rally Past Wilderness as Minnesota’s Playoff Chances Take a Hit

The Wilderness will meet up with the Jr. Blues once again on Friday. Puck drop is at 7:15 PM.

CLOQUET, Minn.- There’s no room for error for the Minnesota Wilderness as they pursue the final spot in the playoffs. On Thursday, the team would suffer a tough loss to the Springfield Jr. Blues, 5 to 4. Springfield scored four unanswered goals after trailing 4-1 in the 2nd period. With the loss, Minnesota remains one point back of the Chippewa…

Superior City FC Women Reveal Schedule for Upcoming Season

The Beacons are coming off a UPSL Midwest-West semifinal appearance in their first season.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Two days after their men’s team has released their schedule, the Superior City FC women revealed theirs on Thursday. The Beacons will open up their season on May 12th on the road at Northern Tide FC. 13 days later, they’ll have their home opener against Tonka Fusion. In total, Superior will have six home games and five away…

Prep Baseball: Hermantown Puts Up 13 Runs in 6th to Handle Denfeld in Season Opener

After three innings of play, the Hawks would hold a 4 to 3 lead.

DULUTH, Minn.- Both the Hermantown and Duluth Denfeld baseball teams would open up their seasons on Wednesday. After three innings of play, the Hawks would hold a 4 to 3 lead. Three innings later, Hermantown put up 13 runs in the 6th to take the eventual 18 to 3 victory. The Hawks (1-0) will next play at Hibbing on April…

Lofstrom, Savela, & Zubich Named to MGBCA All-Star Roster

The Rangers head coach Jeff Buffetta and assistant Dawn Savela will also serve as coaches for the games.

DULUTH, Minn.- Three local senior standouts will get a chance to represent their respective schools one last time. Grand Rapids’ Jessika Lofstrom and Mountain Iron Buhl’s Hali Savela and Jordan Zubich were all named to the roster for the MGBCA All-Star Series. The Rangers head coach Jeff Buffetta and assistant Dawn Savela will also serve as coaches for the games….

Construction of Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium to Begin on April 15th

A formal groundbreaking ceremony will take place on April 25th.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Construction of the new Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium on the campus of UWS is set to begin. On April 15th, construction crews will start to begin the process by working on parking areas and a space near Crownhart Hall. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will then take place on April 25th. The stadium is set to be home…

Superior City FC Men Release Schedule for 2nd Full Season

To close out the regular season, Superior will face Duluth FC on July 10th for the first time ever.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City FC men released their schedule for their 2nd full season as a team. Some of the notables include their season opener on April 20th at the Wisconsin Conquerers. 15 days after that, they will have their home opener in a contest against Austin Villa FC. To close out the regular season, they’ll face Duluth FC…

UMD Men’s Hockey Loses Kleven & Johnson to Transfer Portal

The two join Blake Biondi, who left for Notre Dame, as Bulldogs that have entered the transfer portal this off-season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team has lost two more players to the transfer portal. Forwards Kyler Kleven and Luke Johnson are the lastest to depart the program. In three seasons, Kleven would tally three goals and five assists. He also sat out the entire 2022-2023 season with a torn labrum. For Johnson, he was only with the program…

Quinn Dunkle Becomes Latest UMD Women’s Hockey Player to Enter Transfer Portal

In her lone season as a Bulldog, Dunkle would skate in 36 games for UMD, tallying just one assist.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team isn’t the only squad dealing with players leaving the portal. As the UMD women’s team lost their fourth player via the portal. That being freshman defenseman Quinn Dunkle. In her lone season as a Bulldog, Dunkle would skate in 36 games for UMD, tallying just one assist. She’s the only defender that the…

Coaches Corner: Melissa Fracker

Fracker is currently in her 4th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we’re joined by Melissa Fracker, the head coach of UW-Superior softball. Fracker is currently in her 4th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets. She’s led UWS to the national tournament twice during her reign. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Wilderness Keep Pace with Playoff Push By Topping Windigo

The two teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 7:15 pm.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Minnesota Wilderness helped their playoff chances on Friday, defeating the Wisconsin Windigo 3 to 0. Alessandro Lurati and Nick Blood would be the goal-scorers for the Wilderness. Blood had two in the contest. The two teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 7:15 pm. Categories: Sports

Hungry Hilltopper Baseball Team Ready for Tough Section 7AA Schedule

Marshall's first game is set for April 4th at Esko.

DULUTH, Minn.- Anytime you finish a season at 17-6, that’s something you can be proud of. But for the Duluth Marshall team they weren’t satisfied with the way their season ended a year ago. Facing a tough section 7AA schedule, the Hilltoppers would fall short by being eliminated in the quarterfinals. The good news is Marshall is ready to run…

UMD’s Lauren Dixon Named to NFCA D2 Pitcher of the Year Watchlist

Dixon has a record of 10-2 with an ERA of 1.46. She also leads the NSIC in strikeouts.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD’s ace Lauren\ Dixon has found herself on a watchlist for a top award. Dixon is one of 16 players from the central region to be named to the NFCA D2 Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. She currently leads the NSIC in strikeouts with 120 in 91 innings pitched. Dixon has a record of 10-2 with an ERA…

Asuma & Soumis Set to Compete in 42nd Annual MBCA All-Star Series

The games take place on April 6th at Anoka Ramsey Community College.

DULUTH, Minn.- Two Northland standouts will take part in the 42nd annual Minnesota High School All-Star Basketball Series. Cherry’s Isaac Asuma and Hermantown’s Abe Soumis were both named to the blue team roster and will play in the games on April 6th at Anoka Ramsey Community College. Asuma is coming off a season in which he led the Tigers to…

Crowell Proud of UMD Women’s Hockey Team in Tough & Rewarding Season

The Bulldogs finished the year with a 21-14-4 record.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been almost two weeks since the UMD women’s hockey team wrapped up their season with a regional final loss to top ranked Ohio State in the NCAA tournament. Of course, it’s not how they wanted their season to finish. But, there were still plenty of positives from the team this year. Including big wins over Colgate, Wisconsin,…

UWS Freshman Bella Garley Named UMAC Pitcher of the Week

Garley leads the team in ERA with 2.37 and strikeouts with 17.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS freshman Bella Garley has been named the UMAC pitcher of the week. Garley threw a complete game shutout this past Saturday against Northland College. She would strike out five and only surrender three hits to earn her fourth win of the season. Garley leads the team in ERA with 2.37 and strikeouts with 17. Categories: College, Sports

Drew Blair Earns NABC D2 All-American Honors, Also Named to D2CCA All-American 2nd Team

Blair was the only player from the NSIC to be recognized by the NABC.

DULUTH, Minn.- Drew Blair continues to stack up the honors after a successful career at UMD. On Tuesday, Blair earned NABC D2 All-American honors and was also named to the D2CCA All-American 2nd team. Blair was the only player from the NSIC to be recognized by the NABC. He’s also the first Bulldog since Brandon Myer in the 2019-2020 season…

Former Bulldog Connor McMenamin Joins Reading Royals of ECHL

In 35 games at UMD, McMenamin would have six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21 points.

DULUTH, Minn.- 5th-year senior Connor McMenamin is already making the next step in his hockey career. McMenamin has joined the Reading Royals of the ECHL. The Royals are an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. McMenamin would only skate in one season for the Bulldogs. In 35 games, he would have six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21…

Former Thunderhawk Jack Peart Inks Deal with Minnesota Wild

Peart just finished up his third year at St. Cloud State.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- After being selected by the Wild back in the 2021 NHL Draft in the 2nd round, Grand Rapids native Jack Peart is ready to join the team. On Tuesday, the defenseman signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the squad. Peart just finished up his third year at St. Cloud State. Before his time with the Huskies, he…

Hermantown Native Blake Biondi to Play for Notre Dame in Final College Season

In his final year at UMD, Biondi would post 19 points in 34 games of action.

DULUTH, Minn.- Back on March 20th, Hermantown native Blake Biondi entered the transfer portal, ending his four-year stint at UMD. On Tuesday, Biondi announced his next step and that is a masters degree and one last college season at the University of Notre Dame. In his final year at UMD, Biondi would post 19 points in 34 games of action….

UMD’s Drew Blair Named to NABC D2 All Central District First Team

This is the team's first NABC first team honor since Austin Andrews after the 2021-2022 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd time in his career Drew Blair has been recognized for his efforts by the NABC. Blair was named to the NABC D2 All Central District First Team. It was a record breaking season for the Stevens Point native. He would become the men’s all-time leading scorer late in the season. Blair would also finish his…

Harbor Monsters Reveal Helmets for Inaugural Season, Also Announce Cheer Team Tryouts

The Harbor Monsters first sort of action will come on May 25th when they host the Dallas Falcons in a preseason contest.

DULUTH, Minn.- With training camp set to begin in the next week, the Duluth Harbor Monsters showed off their new lids for the upcoming season over the weekend. The helmet is mainly yellow with a lighter blue and darker blue stripe on the top. It also features the team logo on both sides of the helmet. The Harbor Monsters first…

CSS Junior Jonas Abeleda Named MIAC Tennis Player of the Week

This is the 2nd time in Abeleda's career he has been named MIAC Player of the Week.

DULUTH, Minn.- A St. Scholastica junior has been named MIAC Tennis Player of the Week. Jonas Abeleda has earned the honor after picking up two points at the number one spot for CSS against St. John’s this past weekend. He would also pick up wins in singles and doubles action facing the Johnnies. This is the 2nd time in Abeleda’s…

UMD Sophomore Forward Ben Steeves Making Jump to Pros with Florida Panthers

In 72 career games, Steeves would have 45 goals and 17 assists for 62 total points.

DULUTH, Minn.- After spending the last two seasons wearing a Bulldog sweater, UMD forward Ben Steeves will soon don a Florida Panthers jersey. On Monday, Steeves signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the NHL club. In 72 career games, he would have 45 goals and 17 assists for 62 total points. Steeves would also lead the Bulldogs in goals in…

UMD Senior Forward Katie Davis Becomes 3rd Bulldog to Enter Transfer Portal

In 22 games this season, Davis would tally two goals and two assists.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team has lost another player to the transfer portal. Senior forward Katie Davis is the latest to jump in. She just finished up her fourth year as a Bulldog. In 22 games this season, she would tally two goals and two assists. Her best year at UMD came in the 2022-2023 season, where she…

Duluth Native C.J. Ham to Host Thielen Foundation Charity Softball Game

The family friendly event will pit the Vikings offense against the Vikings defense in a home run derby.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- He may not be known for his softball skills but Duluth native C.J. Ham will get a chance to at least show fans what he can do. On May 30th, Ham is set to host the UNRL Charity Softball Game, put on by former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen and his foundation. The family friendly event will…

State Basketball: Cherry Advances to Class A State Championship Game

Cherry will next face Fertile-Beltrami in the title game on Saturday. Tip-off is at 11 AM at the Williams Arena.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The Cherry boys basketball team continued their march towards a Class A state championship on Friday. In the semifinals, the Tigers would handle the Nevis Tigers by a final of 76 to 58. Cherry was led by Noah Asuma and Isaac Asuma, who each had 20 points in the victory. Cherry will next face Fertile-Beltrami in the title…

Mixed Bag of Veterans & Youth to Lead Proctor Softball Team Into 2024 Season

Proctor returns six of nine starters from a year ago.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Proctor Rails are coming off two straight successful seasons, winning the section 7AA title both years. Even better news for the team this year is they return six of their nine starters from a season ago. And it gets even better because those six starters play multiple positions, making the challenge of finding replacements not as difficult….

Scholastica’s Bostedt, Johnson, & Severson All Sign with Macon Mayhem

The Mayhem play in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

DULUTH, Minn.- A trio of St. Scholastica men’s hockey standouts are heading to the SPHL. Goaltender Jack Bostedt and Defenseman Bryce Johnson and Alec Severson have all signed with the Macon Mayhem. Bostedt finished his Saints career with 39 wins, the most by a goaltender in program history. He also won the 2022- 2023 MIAC Defensive Player of the Year…

UMD Senior Defenseman Darian Gotz Wins 2023-2024 NCHC Sportsmanship Award

Gotz is the fourth Bulldog since 2014 to win the sportsmanship award.

DULUTH, Minn.- In the NCHC, it was the annual awards celebration on Thursday evening in St. Paul. And one Bulldog would take home an award. Senior Defenseman Darian Gotz has won the 2023-2024 NCHC Sportsmanship Award. He’s the first Bulldog since Kobe Roth in 2020 to achieve the honor. The Hermantown native would tally six assists in 37 games of…

State Basketball: Cherry Rolls Past Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in Class A Quarterfinals

Cherry will next face Nevis on Friday at noon.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The top seeded Cherry Tigers showed why they were given the one seed in Class A on Thursday. In the quarterfinals, Cherry would dominate Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 78 to 46 to advance to Friday’s semifinals. The Tigers were led by Isaiah Asuma, who had 26 points in the victory. Just behind him was Isaac Asuma, who had 20. It was…

Bulldogs Lose Sophomores MacLeod & Brunette to Transfer Portal

Both players would spend two seasons in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.-The UMD women’s hockey team would lose two to the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon. That included goalie Hailey MacLeod, who saw plenty of time in net, splitting with Eve Gascon. In 19 games this season, MacLeod would post a record of 11-5-2. She would also have a saves percentage of .948. Joining MacLeod in the portal was forward…

After State Championship Win, Esko Baseball Embracing Challenges of a New Season

Esko said goodbye to eight seniors, including the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year Cale Haugen.

ESKO, Minn.- The start of a new season means a fresh start and clean slate for all teams. Even coming off a Class AA state championship, the Esko baseball team has the same mentality. Nothing matters in the past, it’s all about moving forward. Esko said goodbye to eight seniors, including the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year Cale Haugen….

Northland College’s Brendan Charlton Signs Pro Deal with Blue Ridge Bobcats

The 5th year senior just wrapped up his Lumberjack career, posting eight goals and seven assists in 77 games played.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College senior forward Brendan Charlton is heading to the pros. Charlton has signed a deal with the Blue Ridge Bobcats of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The 5th year senior just wrapped up his Lumberjack career, posting eight goals and seven assists in 77 games played. The Bobcats are in their first season in the FPHL and…