Author: Neil Vierzba

Esko Football’s Joey Antonutti Commits to Valley City State

Antonutti is currently 2nd on the team in tackles with 31 so far this season.

ESKO, Minn.- Another Esko football standout will soon call Valley City State home next year. Senior running back and linebacker Joey Antonutti has announced his commitment to the Vikings. Antonutti is currently 2nd on the team in tackles with 31 so far this season. He’s also tallied 168 rushing yards this season. Just two weeks ago, his teammate Jace Stewart…

Prep Football: Esko Stays Unbeaten, Denfeld Gets Win #6, Northwestern Clinches Share of Conference Title

Esko will look to close out the regular season unbeaten Wednesday when they host Pine City.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Esko football team stayed unbeaten on Friday night, topping Hermantown on the road 41 to 7. Koi Perich would have three touchdowns in the first half to lead Esko. Esko will look to close out the regular season unbeaten Wednesday when they host Pine City. In other prep football action, Duluth Denfeld picked up win number six…

Northern Michigan & UMD Men’s Hockey Skate to 5-5 Tie to Open Series

The two teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 7:07 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey opened up their first full series on Friday, skating to a 5-5 tie with Northern Michigan. The Bulldogs would take a three to nothing lead after one period of play. Ben Steeves would lead UMD offensively with two goals in the contest. The two teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at…

Former Bulldog Gabbie Hughes Named to U.S. National Team Roster for Rivalry Series

Hughes previously earned a IIHF world championship gold medal in April with the U.S.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s already a special weekend for former Bulldog forward Gabbie Hughes. On Saturday, she will see the banner raised for her 2023 Hockey Humanitarian award before the Buckeyes and Bulldogs drop the puck. Even better news for her, she received word on Thursday that she made the U.S. national team roster for the upcoming Rivalry Series against Canada…

UWS Men’s Hockey Picked to Finish 3rd in WIAC, UWS Women Selected 4th

Both teams will open the year with bouts against St. Scholastica.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s and women’s hockey teams are just two weeks away from opening up the season. On Thursday, the WIAC revealed their preseason poll and coming in 3rd are the Yellowjacket men. UWS is coming off a year in which they went 15-12-2. As for the women, they were picked to finish fourth on Friday afternoon. The…

Prep Soccer: C-E-C Boys & Cloquet-Carlton Girls Clinch Spots in 7AA Title Games, East Boys & Denfeld Girls See Seasons End

The section title games will take place on October 17th at either Denfeld or Cloquet.

ESKO, Minn.- Both the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team and Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team are one step closer to another trip to state. On Thursday, the C-E-C boys held off Duluth Denfeld 2-0 in the section 7AA semifinals. With the win, the Lumberjacks will next host Grand Rapids, who topped Hermantown in the other semifinal game, in the section final. That…

Esko’s Koi Perich Lands On MN Football Honors Super 6 Team

The ceremony for the Super 6 team will take place October 22nd in Minneapolis.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko senior Koi Perich has been making plays all season long and he’s now being honored for his efforts. Perich was named to the Minnesota Football Honors Super 6 Team. At the halfway point of this season, Perich had found the end zone 15 times. Ten were on offense, three were on defense, and two came from special…

UMD’s Drew Blair Named NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, Bulldogs Picked to Finish 1st

Blair led the conference in four different statistical categories, including points and field goals made last season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The NSIC basketball preseason polls came out on Thursday. Coming into his final season as a Bulldog, graduate guard Drew Blair was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. He was also on the player’s to watch list. Blair led the conference in four different statistical categories, including points and field goals made last season. As for…

Ella Gilbertson Picked for NSIC Player to Watch List, UMD 2nd in NSIC Coaches Poll

Gilbertson was second on the team for total points last season.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD Senior guard and forward Ella Gilbertson landed on the NSIC player to watch list on Thursday. Gilbertson was second on the team for total points last season. She was also fourth on the team with 26 three pointers made, of course including that game winner in the NCAA Central Region Championship versus Missouri Southern State. As for…

Girls Soccer: Duluth Marshall Holds Off Spectrum in 7A Semifinals, to Play Esko in Title Game

The section title game will take place in Esko on October 17th at 6 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls soccer team picked up a key section 7A semifinal game on Wednesday, defeating Spectrum 2-1 in the semifinals. The Hilltoppers will next play Esko in the section title game. That game will take place on October 17th in Esko at 6 PM. Categories: High School, Sports

#6 UMD Women’s Hockey Opens Conference Play Versus #2 Ohio State

In UMD's last six games against the Buckeyes, each have come down to just one goal.

DULUTH, Minn.- After a series sweep against Long Island University last weekend, the 6th ranked UMD women’s hockey team opens up conference play this week when they welcome in 2nd ranked Ohio State to AMSOIL Arena. And if they’re anything like last year’s games, they could go down to the wire. In the last six games against the Buckeyes, each…

#17 UMD Men’s Hockey Continues Non-Conference Slate Against Northern Michigan

UMD last clashed with Northern Michigan back on December 21st, 2021.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team continues the non-conference portion of their schedule by facing another team from Michigan this weekend. After tying with Michigan Tech on Saturday, the Bulldogs will play two against Northern Michigan. It’s been a few years since UMD has clashed with the Wildcats. Their last matchup came on December 21st, 2021 as Northern Michigan…

Duluth East Senior Infielder Dylan Cole Commits to UMD

Cole led Duluth East in batting average and doubles hit.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another Duluth East senior will get to play college ball next year. Senior infielder Dylan Cole won’t have to go far as he’ll be joining UMD in the spring of 2025. Cole had no problem getting on base for the Greyhounds last spring. He led East in batting average and doubles hit. Cole was also tied with two…

Prep Soccer: Denfeld Boys & East Girls Advance to Respective Section Semifinals

The Hunter boys will play at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton next. Meanwhile, the East girls will play at Centennial.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team opened up section tournament play with a win on Tuesday. The Hunters defeated Hibbing/Chisholm five to nothing in the 7AA quarterfinals. Denfeld will next meet up with Cloquet-Esko-Carlton in the semifinals on Thursday. Gametime is at 6:30 pm in Esko. In other soccer action, the Duluth East girls squad would shut out…

Coming Off First Loss, UMD Football Eager to Bounce Back

UMD hasn't dropped a game to UMary all-time.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team find themselves in an unfamiliar spot this season. And that’s coming off a loss. UMD suffered their first defeat this past Saturday when they fell to Wayne State 28 to 18. Turnovers and failing to capitilize in key situations were some of the reasons for the loss. But now, they turn the page to…

Girls Soccer: Esko & Duluth Marshall Secure Spots in Section 7A Semifinals

Both teams will host semifinal games on Wednesday.

  ESKO, Minn.- The Esko girls soccer team is one step closer to state after topping Two Harbors on Monday. Esko would defeat the Agates 14 to 0 to advance to the Section 7A semifinals. Esko will next host Legacy Christian Academy on Wednesday at 4 PM. In other 7A section soccer play, Duluth Marshall shut out Proctor 4-0. The…

UMD’s Stejskal & Menghini Named NCHC Goaltender & Rookie of the Week

The duo will hit the ice again on Friday against Northern Michigan.

DULUTH, Minn.- A pair of men’s bulldog standouts earned conference honors on Monday. After making 32 saves on Saturday night, Zach Stejskal has earned NCHC Goaltender of the Week honors. He also posted a saves percentage of 0.941, which was a conference best. As for Rookie of the Week, that goes to his teammate Anthony Menghini. Menghini scored his first…

UMD Men’s & Women’s Basketball Release Schedule for 2023-2024 Season

Both teams are coming off deep national tournament runs in 2023.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s and women’s basketball teams released their schedules for the upcoming year. After finishing as runner-ups in the national title game, the lady Bulldogs will open their slate with a pair of exhibition games. Including one against a Division One opponent, South Dakota State on November 1st. Then 10 days later, the games will count as…

UMD Men’s & Women’s Hockey Stay Put in Latest USCHO Polls

Both teams will be back at AMSOIL Arena this weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.- The USCHO polls came out for both the men and the women on Monday. After a series sweep against Long Island University, the UMD women will remain at number six in the poll. Same story for the men. They would tie Michigan Tech on Saturday in the USA Hockey Hall of Fame Game. As a result, they stay…

Prep Football: Hermantown & Duluth Denfeld Pick Up Road Wins in Week 6

Both the Hunters and Hawks are now 5-1 on the season.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld football team bounced back on Friday, topping Cloquet 40 to 16. The Hunters improve to 5-1 and will next host Rock Ridge on October 13th. Meanwhile, Cloquet (3-3) will play at Grand Rapids on the 13th. In other football action, Hermantown also picked up their 5th win of the season, defeating Duluth East 42 to…

Former UMD Men’s Hockey Coach Mike Sertich to Be Honored with Spirit of Life Award

Sertich spent 18 years at the helm for the Bulldogs.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD men’s hockey coach Mike Sertich will be presented with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum’s Spirit of Life award on Saturday. Sertich spent 18 years at the helm for the Bulldogs. From 1982 to 2000, Sertich led UMD to 350 wins, three WCHA regular season championships, two WCHA postseason titles, four NCAA tournament appearances, and…

Cloquet’s Carly Johnson Gets 1,000th Career Set Assist in Lumberjacks Win Over Superior

Cloquet (22-2) will next host Grand Rapids on October 12th.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Cloquet volleyball senior Carly Johnson had a lot to celebrate on Thursday night. Not only did her team pick up a 3 to 0 win over Superior. She also had her 1,000th career set assist in the victory. Cloquet (22-2) will next host Grand Rapids on October 12th. Superior (14-9) will also next host Grand Rapids. That game…

MSHSL Approves Boys Volleyball as Spring Sport

Back in May, the league officially approved boys volleyball as a sanctioned sport.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- The MSHSL officially approved a spring schedule for boys volleyball on Thursday. Teams will begin play next school year. Back in May, the league officially approved boys volleyball as a sanctioned sport. Minnesota is the 25th state association to sanction the sport. Within the last four years, Floodwood, Cloquet, Hibbing/Chisholm, Grand Rapids and Proctor-Hermantown fielded boys teams….

Northland College Hires Cole Schreiner as New Men’s Head Basketball Coach

Schreiner was the men's assistant from 2017 to 2020 for the Lumberjacks.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College in Ashland has announced their new head men’s basketball coach. And it’s a familiar face as Cole Schreiner returns to the program. Schreiner was the men’s assistant from 2017 to 2020 for the Lumberjacks. He would then move on to Gogebic Community College to lead the women’s program. Schreiner has plenty of coaching experience and was…

Esko Football’s Jace Stewart Commits to Valley City State

So far this season, Stewart has seven tackles and one punt return for a touchdown.

ESKO, Minn.- A Esko football standout announced the next step in his playing career on Wednesday. Senior wide receiver and free safety Jace Stewart announced his commitment to Valley City State. So far this season, Stewart has seven tackles and one punt return for a touchdown. On the offensive side, he has one catch for 20 yards and 7 carries…

UWS Men’s Soccer Extends Win Streak to Four with Bridge Battle Victory Over CSS

UWS (8-2-2) will next host Minnesota Morris on Saturday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s soccer team continued their winning ways on Wednesday, defeating St. Scholastica 6-0. The Yellowjackets were led by Josh Bellamy, who had a hat trick in the victory. UWS (8-2-2) will next host Minnesota Morris on Saturday. CSS (2-8) will play at Macalester on Saturday. Categories: College, Sports

UMD Men’s Hockey Ready to Get Back to Game Action

The Bulldogs will host Michigan Tech in the USA Hockey Hall of Fame game on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team will have to wait one day longer than the women’s team to drop the puck. The Bulldogs will host Michigan Tech in the USA Hockey Hall of Fame game on Saturday. The two teams haven’t seen each other since the end of the 2021-2022 season, which went the Bulldogs way three to nothing. Head…

UMD Women’s Hockey to Open Season Against Long Island for 2nd Straight Year

Friday's game will be the 3rd time that Long Island and UMD have squared off.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd straight season, the UMD women’s hockey team will open up the season with a series against Long Island University. Except this time, it will be on their home ice. The Bulldogs will also be celebrating 25 years as a program as they hit the ice on Friday. That game will be the 3rd time that…

Girls Soccer: Esko Shuts Out Duluth Denfeld for 10th Win of Season

Britta Koski would score the lone goal with under seven minutes to go in the first half.

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko girls soccer team earned a gritty win on Tuesday, shutting out Duluth Denfeld 1-0. Britta Koski would score the lone goal with under seven minutes to go in the first half. Esko (10-1-3) will close out the regular season Thursday at Cloquet-Carlton. Duluth Denfeld (8-4-3) finishes their schedule at Grand Rapids on Thursday. Categories: High School,…

Goligoski & Wild Take Over AMSOIL Arena for Open Practice

Tuesday's session was the 3rd time the Wild hosted a practice in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 3rd time in franchise history, the Minnesota Wild made their way to Duluth for a little team bonding and some work as well. The team wrapped up their stay in Duluth Tuesday afternoon when they hosted an open practice in front of thousands at AMSOIL arena. It was their first skating session at where the Bulldogs…

UMD Football Treating Saturday’s Wayne State Contest as Playoff Game

UMD boasts an overall record of 14-2 against Wayne.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team prepares for their toughest test yet. A road contest this upcoming Saturday against the 4-1 Wayne State Wildcats. Saturday’s game will be the 17th time that both the two teams have clashed against one another. UMD boasts an overall record of 14-2 against Wayne. But the Wildcats took the last meeting with a 31…

Prep Soccer: Superior Boys Extend Win Streak to 3, Hermantown Girls Pick Up Win #4

Superior boys play at Spooner/Shell Lake on Tuesday. Hermantown girls are at Duluth East on Wednesday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior boys soccer team continued their winning ways on Monday, defeating Proctor at home, 1-0. The Spartans improve to 7-3-3 and will next play at Spooner/Shell Lake on Tuesday. In other soccer action, the Hermantown girls squad would get the best of Proctor 6-1. The Hawks are now 4-6-5 and will close out the regular season on…

Duluth Native & Vikings Fullback C.J. Ham Competes in 100th Career NFL Game

Ham will need 80 more to tie Bill Brown for most career games by a Vikings fullback.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina.- Lost in all the storylines of Sunday’s Vikings and Panthers contest was a special celebration for Duluth native and Vikings Fullback C.J. Ham. Ham competed in his 100th career NFL game. C.J. becomes just the fourth undrafted offensive player in Vikings history to reach the 100-game mark, joining Mick Tingelhoff, Leo Lewis, and Ham’s opponent on Sunday,…

Wild Place Former Bulldog Nick Swaney on Waivers

Swaney has been in the Wild organization since 2021.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Minnesota Wild will be in town on Tuesday for an open practice at AMSOIL Arena. Sadly, a former Bulldog won’t be able to make his return as Minnesota placed former right wing Nick Swaney on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Iowa Wild. Swaney has been in the Wild organization since 2021. He’s played…

UMD’s Dashaun Ames Named NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week, Bulldogs Move Up to #17 in Polls

Ames has a total of 3 touchdowns so far this season.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd consecutive week, a member on the UMD football team has secured the NSIC special teams player of the week honor. Kicker Curtis Cox took it home last week and this week it goes to kick returner Dashaun Ames. Ames had the longest kick return in the conference as he had a 93 yard score to…

Duluth Harbors Monsters Hire Steven Walters as Team’s First GM

Walters is a longtime Twin Ports resident and has a combined 13 years of sales and marketing experience.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Harbor Monsters continue to add to their front office. On Monday, the team annouced their first-ever general manager. Steven Walters has been brought on by Brent Labrie to oversee all aspects of the team’s operations. Walters is a longtime Twin Ports resident and has a combined 13 years of sales and marketing experience. In a press…

UMD Women’s Hockey Enters Game Week with #6 Ranking

UMD is one of four WCHA teams to round out the top six of the poll.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s game week for both the UMD men’s and women’s squads. The lady Bulldogs enter their matchup with Long Island University as the 6th ranked team in the nation. That was given to them Monday morning as the weekly USCHO poll came out. UMD is one of four WCHA teams to round out the top six of the…

Prep Football: Esko, Cloquet, & Northwestern Grab Wins, Duluth Denfeld Drops 1st Game of Season

Esko (5-0) will next play at Hibbing on October 6th.

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko football team added another win to their record on Friday, defeating Two Harbors 32 to 3. It wasn’t always easy though, as Esko led the Agates 7 to 3 at the break. Esko (5-0) will next play at Hibbing on October 6th. Two Harbors (3-2) will return home next weekend to host Rock Ridge. In other…

Top Play of the Week: 9/29

This week’s top play comes from Zak McPhee and Nolan Okstad of Proctor football.

PROCTOR, Minn.- This week’s top play comes from Zak McPhee and Nolan Okstad of Proctor football. The duo would connect on an impressive two-point try in Proctor’s contest against Cloquet on Friday. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Wade Chiodo Steps Down as Grand Rapids Head Boys Hockey Coach

Grand Rapids made it to the section title game twice under his reign.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Wade Chiodo has stepped down as the Grand Rapids head boys hockey coach. Youth Hockey Hub was the first to report the news. Chiodo spent four seasons at the helm. His best year came in 2020 and 2021 when the Thunderhawks went 15-2-1. Overall, Grand Rapids made it to the section title game twice under his reign….

Duluth Huskies Name KC Snyder as New Co-Assistant General Manager

Snyder was most recently with the St. Paul Saints, where he worked in the marketing and promotions department.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies have added to their front office. On Friday, the team announced KC Snyder as the new co-assistant General Manager. He will work alongside the other co-assistant GM Taylor Terfehr. Snyder was most recently with the St. Paul Saints, where he worked in the marketing and promotions department. Snyder also had a stint with another Northwoods…

Greyhounds Head Coach Steve Pitoscia Named New Wilderness Assistant Coach

Pitoscia will still remain as the head boys hockey coach at East and will balance the two gigs throughout the season.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Duluth East head boys hockey coach Steve Pitoscia has added another job responsibility for the fall and winter. Pitoscia, who is also Director of Player Development for the Minnesota Wilderness, is now the team’s new assistant coach. Pitoscia will still remain as the head boys hockey coach at East and will balance the two gigs throughout the season….

Report: Former Bulldog Catherine Daoust Joins PWHL Montreal on Camp Invite

Daoust last suited up for UMD back in 2018. She would tally 37 points in her four-year career with the Bulldogs.

MONTREAL, Canada.- Another former Bulldog will have a chance to earn a spot on a PWHL roster. Former defender Catherine Daoust has accepted an invite to traning camp with PWHL Montreal. Daoust is the 13th former Bulldog to get a chance in the newly formed league. Daoust last suited up for UMD back in 2018. She would tally 37 points…

Girls Soccer: Cloquet/Carlton & Marshall Play to 2-2 Tie, Esko Earns 9th Win of Season

Esko hasn't lost a game since September 7th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The top two girls soccer teams in the Lake Superior conference would clash on Thursday. Ultimately, Cloquet-Carlton and Duluth Marshall would play to a 2-2 tie. The Lumberjacks (9-2-3) will next host Hermantown on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers (7-2-4) will host Two Harbors on October 5th. In other girls soccer action, Esko would top Hermantown on their home…

UMD Volleyball Preps for Augustana & #1 Wayne State as Part of Homecoming Weekend

Augustana and UMD begin play on Friday at 5 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- A big weekend awaits the UMD volleyball team. Not only is it homecoming weekend, but they also have the number one team in the country coming to town. But first things first is a bout against Augustana on Friday. The Bulldogs hold the overall series lead over the Vikings, winning 14 of the 17 contests. Head Coach Jim…

Baseball Commitments: Esko’s Marciulionis to St. John’s, East’s Lind to Augustana

Both Marciulionis and Lind are entering their final prep seasons.

ESKO, Minn.- A pair of local area baseball standouts made their college commitments on Tuesday. Esko’s Dylan Marciulionis is heading to Collegeville to play for the Johnnies of St. John’s. Marciulionis went 5-0 this past spring with 51 strikeouts. He also was the winning pitcher in the double AA title game going seven innings with nine strikeouts. In Duluth, Greyhounds…

Prep Volleyball: Cloquet & Grand Rapids Earn Straight Set Victories

The Lumberjacks (16-1) will next host Duluth Denfeld on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Thunderhawks (12-5) return home Thursday to host Duluth Marshall.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet volleyball team continued their winning ways on Tuesday, topping Esko in straight sets. Ava Carlson led the team with 15 kills in the contest. The Lumberjacks (16-1) will next host Duluth Denfeld on Thursday. In other volleyball action, Grand Rapids would defeat Proctor in three sets. The Thunderhawks (12-5) return home Thursday to host Duluth Marshall….

Coming Off Complete Game, UMD Football Turns Attention to Winona State

The Warriors and Bulldogs kick things off on Saturday at Malosky Stadium at noon.

DULUTH, Minn.- Head Coach Curt Wiese said in his weekly presser before their contest against Southwest Minnesota State that he was hoping for a complete game. And that’s exactly what his team gave him on Saturday as they blanked the Mustangs 33 to nothing. UMD’s defense had nine tackle for losses, five sacks, and four forced turnovers. Special teams was…

Report: Former UMD Goaltender Maddie Rooney to Join PWHL Minnesota for Camp

Rooney last played in the PWHPA for Team Adidas. In nine games, she had a saves percentage of 91 percent.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Former UMD goaltender Maddie Rooney may have not heard her name called in the PWHL draft back on September 18th. But, coming up in November she will have a chance to earn a spot on the PWHL Minnesota roster. Ian Kennedy, from the Hockey News, has reported that the olympic gold medalist has received and accepted a…