Author: Neil Vierzba

UMD Basketball’s Drew Blair Named to Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List

After trimming down the list in March and April, the winner will be announced on April 8th.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD fifth-year senior Drew Blair has found himself on another award watch list. On Thursday, Blair landed on the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List. Taken into consideration for the award is overall career statistics and achievements, team achievements, awards, and personal character. After trimming down the list in March and April, the winner will be announced…

Boys Hockey: Hermantown Scores Five Unanswered to Snap Losing Skid Against C-E-C

Hermantown (13-6-2) will next play at Moorhead on Saturday.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Hermantown boys hockey team was back in the win column on Thursday, defeating Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 6 to 1. The two teams would be tied at one after one period of play. After that, it was all Hawks as they scored twice in the 2nd and three times in the 3rd. Hermantown (13-6-2) will next play at Moorhead on…

UWS Women’s Tennis Off to Strong Start in 2nd Half of Season

The Yellowjackets will next be in action on Saturday against Macalester.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Spring sports are starting up in the Twin Ports and that includes the UWS women’s tennis team, who have had already played a few games in the 2nd half of their season. So far this year, the Yellowjackets are at 3-1. The team will look to go further in their new campaign after experiencing a short exit in…

UMD Football Adds Bobby Cade Mornhinweg to Coaching Staff, Son of Former NFL Coach Marty

Mornhinweg is the son of Marty, who was once the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2001.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD football made some coaching additions recently and one coaching coming in is the son of a former NFL coach. Bobby Cade Mornhinweg joins the Bulldogs as the team’s new tight ends coach. Mornhinweg is the son of Marty, who was once the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2001. Bobby Cade was most recently with North…

Port Wing Native Megan Gustafson Signs Two-Year Deal with Las Vegas Aces

The Aces will be Gustafson's 4th WNBA team as she previously suited up for the Phoenix Mercury, Washington Mystics, and lastly, the Dallas Wings.

PORT WING, Wis.- Thursday marked the start of Free Agency for the WNBA. One of the players looking for a new home was Port Wing Native Megan Gustafson. It wouldn’t take long for the South Shore all-time leading scorer to put pen to paper. Gustafson is taking her talents to Vegas to play for the two-time defending champions, the Las…

Gustavus Adolphus Too Much for CSS Men’s Basketball as Losing Skid Continues

CSS (2-17) will next play at St. John's on Saturday. Tip-off is at 3 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica men’s basketball team was unable to knock off MIAC foe Gustavus Adolphus on Wednesday, falling 76 to 68. The Saints were led by Noah Winesett, who had 19 points in the contest. CSS (2-17) will next play at St. John’s on Saturday. Tip-off is at 3 PM. Categories: College, Sports

#7 UMD Women’s Hockey Continues Homestand with Series Against Minnesota State

The Bulldogs have already taken down the Mavericks twice this season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The WCHA postseason race heats up this weekend when the 7th ranked UMD women’s hockey team welcomes in Minnesota State-Mankato into AMSOIL Arena. UMD, who’s 5th in the conference, is currently chasing St. Cloud State, who’s 3 points ahead of the Bulldogs. Minnesota State on the other hand, will have to make up some ground as they are…

UMD Men’s Hockey to Hit the Road to Face Omaha for 2nd Time This Season

The Mavericks are currently five points behind the Bulldogs in the NCHC standings.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is coming off a successful weekend as they picked up their first sweep since late October, taking two from Miami. Now, they shift their attention to a team they have already seen this season. That being Omaha, who they split with in a series in the first weekend of December. The Mavericks are…

Northland College Names Lee Dennis as New Head Men’s Soccer Coach

Dennis has been an assistant for the team the last two seasons.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College has a new head men’s soccer coach. On Wednesday, the school announced that assistant coach Lee Dennis will take over at the top. Dennis has been an assistant for the team the last two seasons. In that time, he helped lead the Lumberjacks to two conference tournaments. Before that, Dennis would play for the team from…

Francisco & Marthaler Claim Gold at Youth Olympic Games

This is the 2nd time the U.S. has won Gold at the Youth Olympics.

GANGWON, South Korea.- Two Northlanders would earn gold bright and early on Wednesday morning. Hermantown defenseman A.J. Francisco and Superior defenseman JJ Marthaler as well as their U.S. Youth teammates would take on Czechia in the gold medal game of the Youth Olympics. Francisco would tally an assist on the first goal. After that, the red, white, and blue would…

Girls Basketball: Proctor Completes Season Sweep of Cloquet

Proctor (15-5) will next play at Duluth East on Thursday.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Proctor girls basketball team and Cloquet would meet for the 2nd time this season on Tuesday. Like the first result, Proctor would come away with the 60 to 53 victory. Back on January 2nd, the Rails would top the Lumberjacks 55 to 40. Proctor (15-5) will next play at Duluth East on Thursday. Cloquet (11-9) will travel…

Wilderness Captain Gustav Ozolins to Play College Hockey at RPI

So far this season, Ozolins has tallied 17 points.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The captain of the Minnesota Wilderness has found his college home. Defenseman Gustav Ozolins has committed to RPI, out of the ECAC. So far this season, Ozolins has tallied 17 points. The year prior, he would have 24. Ozolins has spent the last two seasons with the Wilderness. Categories: Sports

UMD Softball Opens Season with Plenty of Familiar Faces on Roster

UMD only lost one senior this off-season, that being catcher Sidney Zavoral.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hard to believe but the UMD softball team will play a regular season game this upcoming weekend as they’ll open up the year at the Mankato Dome Invite. The Bulldogs are coming off a year in which they went 40-13 and made an appearance at the NCAA Central Region. As they begin their run to try and get…

Marthaler & Francisco to Play for Gold Medal on Wednesday

The Gold medal game against Czechia is set for 5 AM on Wednesday.

GANGWON, South Korea.- Two Northlanders will compete for gold on Wednesday at the Youth Olympics. Superior defenseman JJ Marthaler and Hermantown defenseman A.J. Francisco have been playing for the U.S. Youth Olympic Team overseas in South Korea. On Tuesday, the duo was a part of the U.S.’ 6 to 5 shootout win over Canada. That sets up the goal medal…

Cloquet Boys Basketball Gets to .500 Mark with Road Win at Duluth Marshall

The Lumberjacks are now 9-9 and will next host Grand Rapids on Tuesday, February 6th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Cloquet boys basketball team picked up their 9th win of the season on Monday, defeating Duluth Marshall 77 to 66. The Lumberjacks are now 9-9 and will next host Grand Rapids on Tuesday, February 6th. Duluth Marshall falls to 8-10 and will host Cook County on Thursday. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Native & Vikings Fullback C.J. Ham Heading to 2nd Career Pro Bowl

Ham previously went to the Pro Bowl following the 2019 season.

EAGAN, Minn.- The Vikings may or may not have had a rooting interest in Sunday’s conference championship games. But, Vikings fullback and Duluth native C.J. Ham sure did. With the 49ers advancing to the Super Bowl, that means their starting fullback Kyle Juszczyk will be unable to compete in the Pro Bowl Games this upcoming weekend in Orlando. Ham, who’s…

Huskies to Don Duluth Dukes Uniforms for Two Games This Upcoming Season

The games will be on June 7th and August 10th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies will turn back the clock twice this upcoming season. The team will pay homage to the Duluth Dukes, by wearing uniforms and hats that represent the former minor league team in their contests on June 7th and August 10th. The Huskies did something similar last season in a contest against the Thunder Bay Border Cats…

UMD Women’s Hockey Remains at #7 in Latest USCHO Poll

It's the 3rd straight week the Bulldogs have sat in the number seven spot.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team had a tough weekend as they dropped both contests to Wisconsin at home. Even with the two losses, the team would stay as the 7th ranked team in the country in the latest USCHO Poll. It’s the 3rd straight week the Bulldogs have sat in the number seven spot. UMD will once again…

CSS Men’s Hockey Moves Up to #10 in Poll, Bostedt Named MIAC Defensive Player of the Week

Bostedt would tally a total of 69 saves, including a season-high 37 on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica men’s hockey team is coming off a weekend sweep against Hamline. As a result, they have moved up one spot to number ten in the USCHO Poll. This is the first time in three weeks that they have moved up in the poll. In other Saints news, goalie Jack Bostedt earned MIAC Defensive Player of the…

UMD Forward Ben Steeves Nominated for Hobey Baker Award, Also Named NCHC Forward of the Week

So far this season, Steeves has tallied 21 goals and eight assists for a total of 29 points.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD sophomore forward Ben Steeves is up for the highest award in men’s college hockey. On Friday, it was revealed that Steeves is one of the 84 players nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. So far this season, he’s tallied 21 goals and eight assists for a total of 29 points. There are two phases of fan voting…

UMD Men’s & Women’s Basketball Sweep Minnesota Crookston in Doubleheader

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday against Bemidji State.

DULUTH, Minn.- Both the UMD men’s and women’s basketball teams would pick up wins on Friday night. The women’s squad would start the night by thumping Minnesota Crookston 82 to 59. Ella Gilbertson and Lexi Karge would each have 12 points in the win. Following that contest, the men’s team would take down the Golden Eagles 72 to 62. Drew…

Steeves Hat Trick Helps UMD Take Game One From Miami (OH)

UMD improves to 9-11-4 and will once again face Miami on Saturday. Puck drop is at 7:07 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team opened up their series with Miami (OH) on Friday with a win, topping the RedHawks 6 to 2. The Bulldogs were led by Ben Steeves, who had a hat trick in the victory. UMD improves to 9-11-4 and will once again face Miami on Saturday. Puck drop is at 7:07 PM. Categories: College,…

Top Plays of the Week: 1/26

Nina Thorson would light the lamp on a spectacular shot from the boards for the top play of the week.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays both come from on the ice. At number two,  Duluth East’s Oscar Lundell splits two defender and then finds teammate Stratton Maas all alone on a breakway goal. Finally at number one, Nina Thorson would light the lamp on a spectacular shot from the boards to give her Duluth Marshall team a lead over…

Former Marshall Soccer Standout Emilia McGiffert Earns All-New England Honors

McGiffert started all 17 games in the midfield, and would score one goal with two assists.

DULUTH, Minn.- A former Duluth Marshall Hilltopper soccer player was recognized by her conference on Friday. Emilia McGiffert, who now plays for St. Michael’s College of the NEWISA conference, landed on the first team, earning All-New England honors. McGiffert started all 17 games in the midfield, and would score one goal with two assists. She previously played a few seasons…

Prep Basketball: Duluth Marshall Girls Stay at Top of Conference, Hermantown Boys Bounce Back

Duluth Marshall will next play at I-Falls on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hermantown will host Grand Rapids on February 1st.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls basketball team faced a tough test on Thursday night facing Cloquet. In the end though, the Hilltoppers would defeat the Lumberjacks 77 to 73. Duluth Marshall is now 7-1 in Lake Superior conference play. They’ll next be at International Falls on Saturday. In boys action, Hermantown would get back in the win column, topping…

With Nearly Identical Record From A Year Ago, UMD Men’s Hoops Likes Where They Stand

The Bulldogs are currently 4th in the NSIC standings.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s basketball team enters the weekend with a nearly identical record from a year ago. Of course, last year’s run resulted in an elite eight appearance. But that’s in the past as the team is focused on the now. The Bulldogs are gearing up for a gauntlet of a schedule, playing three games in a total…

UMD Women’s Basketball Looks to Improve Postseason Seeding in Homestand

UMD will take on Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State this weekend. Teams that they have a combined record of 38 and 3 against.

DULUTH, Minn.- This weekend might be a good chance to help the UMD women’s basketball team improve their seeding in the conference. Currently the Bulldogs are 6th and are just a game back of cracking the top four. UMD will take on Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State this weekend. Teams that they have a combined record of 38 and 3…

Former Bulldog Maggie Flaherty to Join Team USA for Rivalry Series

The rivalry series against Canada begins February 7th.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog Gabbie Hughes won’t be the only skater with UMD ties participating at the Rivalry Series in February. Defender Maggie Flaherty has now joined her on the roster. Flaherty is currently with PWHL Minnesota and has played in all six games. The rivalry series against Canada begins February 7th. With another game set in Canada on February…

UMD Softball’s Lauren Dixon Named NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, Bulldogs Picked 2nd in Conference

Last season, Dixon set the program record for career strikeouts with 585.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd straight year, UMD senior pitcher Lauren Dixon has been named the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Last season, Dixon set the program record for career strikeouts with 585. She also had a 1.50 ERA with 21 wins in the circle. The NSIC preseason poll was also released on Tuesday afternoon with the Bulldogs coming…

#7 UMD Women’s Hockey to Welcome in Defending Champs #2 Wisconsin

Wisconsin won the national championship at AMSOIL Arena back in March of 2023.

DULUTH, Minn.- After being swept by the top ranked team in the country, Ohio State this past weekend. The 7th ranked UMD women’s hockey team returns home this weekend to face the 2nd ranked team in the nation, the Wisconsin Badgers. It’s the 2nd series this season that the Bulldogs have met up with the defending national champions. Back in…

UMD Men’s Hockey to Meet Miami for 2nd Time in 2023-2024 Season

The Bulldogs and RedHawks would previously split in a series back in December.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is still in search of their first sweep since late October. The Bulldogs will welcome in Miami of Ohio this weekend, a team they’ve already seen twice so far this season. On the RedHawks home ice in December, UMD would tie with Miami, 3 to 3 in the first contest. Then they would…

Duluth Marshall Girls Basketball Snaps Proctor’s 9-Game Win Streak, Denfeld Boys Top Hermantown in Section 7AAA Rematch

The Hilltoppers (10-5) will next host Cloquet on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Denfeld boys (10-7) will host Superior on Friday.

PROCTOR, Minn.- Both the Duluth Marshall and Proctor girls basketball teams would enter play on Tuesday with unbeaten Lake Superior conference records. In the end though, the Hilltoppers would come out on top, 56 to 50. Duluth Marshall’s win also snaps a nine-game winning streak for Proctor. In boys action, Duluth Denfeld would get revenge against Hermantown, topping the Hawks…

Scoring Milestones: Zubich Becomes All-Time Scoring Leader for MIB Girls, Asuma Reaches 3,000 Career Points

We'll have more on Asuma in this week's Northern Star that airs on Wednesday night at 9 PM.

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- Two local standouts reached milestones on Monday night. In Mountain Iron-Buhl’s 88 to 64 victory over Cass Lake-Bena, senior guard Jordan Zubich became the Ranger girls all-time leading scorer, surpassing Chelsea Mason with 3,035 points. Then on the boys side, Cherry senior Isaac Asuma would surpass 3,000 career points as his Tigers took care of business against…

Esko Baseball Head Coach Ben Haugen Named 2A Coach of the Year

Haugen led Esko to their first-ever state title last spring.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko head baseball coach Ben Haugen picked up some hardware over the weekend. Haugen was named the 2A Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association. It was a no brainer of a pick as Haugen led Esko to their first-ever state title last spring. This upcoming season will be Haugen’s 18th year…

Superior Names Bobbijean Gidley as New Head Softball Coach

Gidley was most recently the head coach for the Spartan JV team.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior softball team has a new leader. On Monday, the school announced Bobbijean Gidley will take over for Mike Sather, who retired after the team’s 2nd place finish at the state tournament last year. Gidley was most recently the head coach for the Spartan JV team. She’s also coached at Proctor High School and played collegiately for…

Esko Girls Basketball Edges Mesabi East in 1st Place Matchup, Rock Ridge & Grand Rapids Earn Road Wins

Esko will next host Moose Lake/Willow River on Thursday. Rock Ridge is at Chisago Lakes on Friday. And lastly, Grand Rapids will host Proctor on Friday.

ESKO, Minn.- In a battle of first place teams on Monday night, Esko would take down Mesabi East 61 to 39. Esko was led by Cairin Berger, who had 25 points in the contest. In other girls action, Rock Ridge earned their 15th win of the season, taking down Duluth Denfeld 65 to 22. Lexi Lamppa with 15 points for…

UMD Women’s Hockey Stays Put at #7 in USCHO Poll

After playing the top ranked team this past weekend, they'll next host the 2nd ranked team in the nation, facing Wisconsin for a two-game series.

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a tough weekend for the UMD women’s hockey team as they suffered two losses to top ranked Ohio State. But it would be no harm, no foul for the team in the recent USCHO Poll. As the Bulldogs will remain the 7th ranked team in the country. After playing the top ranked team this past weekend,…

CSS Men’s Hockey Drop in Latest USCHO Poll, Women’s Goalie Cole Named MIAC Defender of the Week

Cole stopped 41 out of the 42 shots she saw in Friday's contest against St. Olaf.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica men’s hockey team has once again suffered a fall in the D3 USCHO Poll. After splitting with St. Olaf this past weekend, the Saints are now ranked 11th after previously being 8th. CSS will next face Hamline in another home and home series this upcoming weekend. On the women’s team, former Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning standout…

Marshall’s Chloe Johnson Becomes 3rd 8th Grade Girl in MN History to Reach 1,000 Career Points

So far this season, Johnson is averaging almost 29 points per game for the Hilltoppers.

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a weekend to remember for Duluth Marshall 8th grade basketball player Chloe Johnson. Johnson would become the 3rd Minnesota girls basketball player to reach 1,000 career points as an 8th grader. Johnson would put up 45 points in Marshall’s contest against Minnehaha Academy on Saturday. So far this season, she is averaging almost 29 points per…

Coaches Corner: Matt Solberg

Solberg and the Rails are currently on a nine-game winning streak.

PROCTOR, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Matt Solberg, the head coach of the Proctor girls basketball team. Solberg and the Rails are currently on a nine-game winning streak. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Bethany Lutheran & UW-Superior Split Men’s & Women’s Hoops Doubleheader

Both squads will be back at it on Saturday against Martin Luther. The women's game begins at 3 PM and the men will follow at 4:45 PM.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s basketball team faced a tough test on Friday, ultimately falling to the 1st place Bethany Lutheran Vikings, 69 to 47. The loss snaps a four-game winning streak for the Yellowjackets. UWS was led by Andrew Kunelius, who had seven points. In other basketball action, the UWS women’s squad would take down Bethany Lutheran, 74 to…

Proctor Girls Basketball Not Letting Tough Schedule Phase Them

The Rails are next in action on Tuesday, facing Duluth Marshall in a Lake Superior Conference showdown.

PROCTOR, Minn.- Anytime a team has a game almost every night, it can be a challenge. But for the Proctor girls basketball team, they’ve taken it in stride as they’re on a nine-game winning streak. The Rails would have five games in the last two weeks, that included matchups against tough opponents such as Cass Lake-Bena and Cromwell-Wright. But all…

Boys Basketball: Rock Ridge Tallies 10th Win, East Claims Bragging Rights Over Denfeld

The Wolverines (10-5) will next host Hibbing on January 23rd. And Duluth East will next host Eagan on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Rock Ridge boys basketball team picked up their 10th win of the season on Thursday, defeating Duluth Marshall 96 to 57. The Wolverines (10-5) will next host Hibbing on January 23rd. As for the Hilltoppers (6-7), they’ll play at Ely on Saturday. In other boys basketball action, a late three by Braden Bement would lift Duluth East…

Superior City FC Women Name Aaron Blanchard as New Head Coach

Blanchard currently is the women's coach at Northland College.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City FC women’s team has a new coach. On Thursday, they announced that Aaron Blanchard will be the 2nd head coach in team history. Blanchard currently is the women’s coach at Northland College. He’s also previously coached at Cloquet High School. Blanchard has ties to Superior as he played for the Yellowjackets back in 2017 and…

UMD Baseball Picked to Finish 12th in NSIC, Cole & Buttweiler Named Players to Watch

UMD opens the season February 25th against Southwest Minnesota State in Topeka, Kansas.

DULUTH, Minn.- Soon the UMD baseball team will be hitting the field. On Thursday, the NSIC preseason coaches poll was released and the Bulldogs were picked to finish 12th in the conference. The team would have two players being recognized by their opponents. Former Greyhound and current junior infielder Ethan Cole was named a Player to Watch. And graduate pitcher…

Buzzer Beater Erases Late Game Rally for CSS Women’s Hoops Against Augsburg

Katie Manecke would make the jumper as time expired.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica women’s basketball team would have a late rally on Wednesday against Augsburg, unfortunately they would fall at the buzzer 57 to 55. Katie Manecke would make the jumper as time expired. CSS was led by Kloey Lind, who had 22 points in the contest. St. Scholastica (7-8) will next play at Macalester on Saturday at…

#7 UMD Women’s Hockey Hoping It’s 2nd Times the Charm Against Top Ranked Ohio State

The Buckeyes would previously get the best of the Bulldogs back in October.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 7th ranked UMD women’s hockey team is riding high after their sweep of Bemidji State. But, this weekend things will get a little tougher for the Bulldogs as they make the trip to Columbus to face top ranked Ohio State. This will be the 2nd meeting this season between the two squads. The Buckeyes would previously get…

UMD Men’s Hockey Ready for Tough Environment at Western Michigan

The Bulldogs are looking for their first win in Kalamazoo since November of 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is gearing up to play a team they have yet to see this season. That would be the Western Michigan Broncos, who are five points ahead of UMD in the NCHC standings. All-time, the series belongs to the Bulldogs as they have 23 victories compared to the Broncos’ 17. But in recent years,…

Mercury Bischoff Becomes All-Time Points Leader for Grand Rapids/Greenway

In total, Bischoff has 168 goals and 117 assists.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Grand Rapids/Greenway junior forward Mercury Bischoff became the all-time points leader for the Lightning in their Tuesday contest against Superior. Bischoff would tally four goals against the Spartans to reach 285 career points. In total, she has 168 goals and 117 assists. Bischoff has already committed to Minnesota State-Mankato once her playing days with the Lightning are…

Boys Basketball: Esko Snaps Two-Game Losing Skid with Road Win at Denfeld

Esko will next be in action on Friday at home versus Two Harbors.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Esko boys basketball team was back in the win column on Tuesday, defeating Duluth Denfeld 76 to 71. Esko (7-3) came into the contest having dropped their last two games. They’ll next be in action on Friday at home versus Two Harbors. Duluth Denfeld (8-6) on the other hand, will next host Duluth East on Thursday. Categories:…