Author: Sam Ali

Prep Soccer: Spartans Win Home Finale; Hawks Sweep Hunters in Doubleheader

The Superior boys, Hermantown boys and Hermantown girls pick up wins on Monday night.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Jakob Kidd and Ethan Defoe each scored four goals as the Superior boys soccer team blanked Mesabi East 9-0 Monday night at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex. In other action, the Hermantown boys got two goals from Hunter Tanski as they rolled past Duluth Denfeld 6-1 to capture the 2019 Lake Superior Conference championship. And the Hawks…

“Haitian Temptation” Al Sands Set to Fight Next Month in Norway

Sands will take on IBO International Cruiserweight champion Kai Robin Havnaa.

DULUTH, Minn. – Al Sands has his next fight lined up and once again, he’s going overseas. According to Team Sauerland Boxing, the “Haitian Temptation” is going to Oslo, Norway on November 16th. He will take on IBO International Cruiserweight champion Kai Robin Havnaa, who is top male boxer in Norway. Sands is coming off his first fight in the…

Northern Star: Amy “Hard Hands” Lemenager

For this week's segment, we talk with a local boxer who is making her pro debut next week.

DULUTH, Minn. – Amy “Hard Hands” Lemenager has always been a fighter. “My grandparents are always like, “OK so when are you going to be done fighting?” and I’ll always be like, “Just one more.” And of course after the one more, there’s always another. I just can’t stop,” said Lemenager. Growing up, Lemenager was a two–sport athlete. In high…

Coaches Corner: Tom Lenarz

For this week's segment, we talked with the head coach of the Cloquet football team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Cloquet head football coach Tom Lenarz, who talked about another great start to the season for the Lumberjacks. Lenarz also stressed how his players shouldn’t look ahead to the section playoffs. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Prep Volleyball: Rails Top Hawks in Five-Set Thriller, Hilltoppers Sweep Hunters

Both Proctor and Duluth Marshall got wins on their respective home courts.

PROCTOR, Minn. – In a match between two of the Lake Superior Conference’s undefeated teams, the Proctor volleyball team outlasted Hermantown 3-2 Thursday night at the Rails Gym. Other scores include Duluth Marshall getting the home sweep over Duluth Denfeld 3-0 while Ashland blanked Cloquet 3-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Soccer: Lumberjack Boys Win in OT, Hilltopper Girls Blank Rails

The Duluth Marshall girls and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys picked up wins on Thursday.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Otto Cockburn’s goal in the opening moments of extra time would be the difference as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team end their season with a home win over Proctor 1-0 Thursday night at Bromberg Field. And in girls soccer action, Gianna Kneepkens finished with a hat trick as Duluth Marshall knocked off Proctor 7-0. The Hilltoppers will…

UMD Men’s Hockey Welcome University of Alberta for Exhibition Game

Puck drop Saturday night at Amsoil Arena is set for just after 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team will take the ice this weekend for the first time since winning back-to-back national titles. The Bulldogs will open their season with an exhibition against the University of Alberta, one of the best teams north of the border. “It kind of shows what the guys have and where guys need to step…

Slow Starts Not a Concern as UMD Football Team Get Set for Clash Against #3 MSU-Mankato

The Mavericks are the last team to defeat the Bulldogs in conference play back in 2017.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. That will be the mantra this weekend for the UMD football team. After averaging over 20 points in the first half of the first two games of the season, the Bulldogs have scored 17 points combined in the last two weeks. Head coach Curt Wiese says slow…

Ron Tondryk Steps Down as Cloquet Softball Head Coach

Tondryk has led the program for the past decade and was involved with Cloquet athletics for 30 years.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Ron Tondryk announced Wednesday he is stepping down as head coach of the Cloquet softball team. Tondryk has led the program for the past decade and was involved with Cloquet athletics for 30 years. The ‘Jacks are coming off their first appearance in the Class AAA state tourney since 2012, and they came back home with a…

UMD Women’s Hockey to Open Season Against Third-Ranked Clarkson

Puck drop for Friday night's game is set for just after 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team are getting set to open their season this weekend at Amsoil Arena. The Bulldogs are coming off a mixed bag of results from their exhibition against the Minnesota Whitecaps. The team says there was a lot they liked from that game and a few things they need to clean up before the…

Greyhounds Sweep Hawks in Soccer Doubleheader

The Duluth East soccer teams each picked up a win at home over Hermantown.

DULUTH, Minn. – Molly Henderson scored a hat trick in the second half, including the game-winning goal with 36 seconds to go as the Duluth East girls soccer team earned the comeback win over Hermantown 3-2 Wednesday night at Ordean Stadium. In the boys game, the Greyhounds took care of business as they blanked the Hawks 4-0. Categories: High School,…

Tavemark Scores Lone Goal as Yellowjackets Men’s Soccer Blank Saints

This year's Border Battle bragging rights go to the Wisconsin-Superior men's soccer team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Junior Pontus Tavemark scored in the 59th minute off a corner kick as the Wisconsin-Superior men’s soccer team shut out St. Scholastica 1-0 Wednesday afternoon at Saints Field. The Yellowjackets outshot the Saints 17-6, allowing just one shot on goal. UWS improves to 6-2-2 on the season while CSS falls to 2-10. Categories: College, Sports

Kolin Dean Steps Down as UWS Tennis Coach

Dean was named UMAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2018.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – UWS men’s and women’s tennis coach Kolin Dean has announced that he is resigning. Dean has been with the men’s and women’s programs since their inception in 2017, but is stepping away to pursue opportunities outside of coaching. In his first season with the Yellowjackets, he led both teams to third place finishes in the UMAC and…

Prep Volleyball: Hunters Swept at Home, Spartans Top Greyhounds in Five Sets

Princeton would get the road sweep over Duluth Denfeld while Superior went the distance with Duluth East.

DULUTH, Minn. – In a match that went the distance, the Superior volleyball team got the win over Duluth East 3-2 Tuesday night at the Greyhounds gym. The Spartans took the first set and the Greyhounds responded by taking the second and third sets. But Superior would fight back to take the fourth and deciding set to win the match…

CSS Football’s Eric Soderberg Shines on Defense and Special Teams

The Grand Rapids native was named UMAC Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team are coming off a big comeback win that keeps them undefeated so far this season. A big key to that win was the performance of former Grand Rapids standout Eric Soderberg. The Cohasset native not only dominated from his linebacker position to earn UMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. But he…

Saints Volleyball Win Five-Set Thriller to Upset Eagles

The St. Scholastica volleyball team knocked off the defending UMAC champions.

DULUTH, Minn. – Brooke Schermann finished with 15 kills as the St. Scholastica volleyball team came back from down 2-0 to top Northwestern 3-2 Tuesday night at the Reif Gym. Jessica Remer chipped in with 9 kills, while Madissen Burns and Haley Rohwer also finished with eight kills each as they picked up their first conference win. Categories: College, Sports

Saints, Yellowjackets Set for UMAC Men’s Soccer Rematch

The match is set to start at 3:30 p.m at Saints Field.

DULUTH, Minn. – There are lots of rivalries in the Northland and one of the more underrated ones is in men’s soccer between St. Scholastica and Wisconsin-Superior. And Wednesday, the teams will meet for the first time since last year’s UMAC title game. Both teams are undefeated in conference play. But throw out the records when it comes to this…

UMD Volleyball Climb to #3 in AVCA Poll

Meredith Sutton was named Offensive Player of the Week and Emily Balts was named Setter of the Week.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two UMD volleyball players were honored with NSIC Players of the Week awards. Meredith Sutton was named Offensive Player of the Week and Emily Balts was named Setter of the Week. Balts currently leads the NSIC with 12.53 assists per set. The pair helped the Bulldogs move up a spot to #3 in the AVCA Week 4…

Bulldogs Volleyball Get Road Sweep over Hawks

The Carlton volleyball team improved to 21-2 on the season.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Brynne Mickle finished with 39 set assists and Taylor Nelson chipped with 19 kills as the Carlton volleyball team knocked off Hermantown on the road 3-0 Monday night. Abby Mickle and Alaina Bennett combined for 21 kills to help the Bulldogs improve to 21-2 on the season. The Hawks were paced by Alana Mayry who finished with…

MIB Football Standout Dillon Drake Commits to Bemidji State

Drake has been a key part to the Rangers' 4–1 start to this season.

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Mountain Iron-Buhl football standout Dillon Drake announced this weekend that he has committed to playing college football at Bemidji State University. Drake has been a key part to the Rangers’ 4–1 start to this season. He was also a big reason why MIB played in their first state semi–final game last season since 1972. Drake and…

Grandma’s Marathon Registration Opens Tuesday

Entries for the full marathon are taken on a first come, first serve basis until the races reaches 9,000 participants.

DULUTH, Minn. – Registration opens Tuesday for the 44th annual Grandmas’s Marathon weekend. That includes Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K, which will all take place the weekend of June 19, 2020. Entries for the full marathon are taken on a first come, first serve basis until the races reaches 9,000 participants. Same…

UMD Football Moves Up in Latest AFCA Poll

The Bulldogs are up to #12 after a big win at Bemidji State.

DULUTH, Minn. – For one half of football, UMD fans were wondering if Saturday was going to be the day the Bulldogs would suffer their first loss. But just like Eminem in “Lose Yourself”, they snapped back to reality in the second half and get the win over Bemidji State. That allowed UMD to move up one spot to #12…

Coaches Corner: Mike Heffernan

For this week's segment, we talk to the first year head coach at St. Scholastica.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with St. Scholastica head football coach Mike Heffernan. Among the topics discussed are the Saints’ 3-0 start in Heffernan’s first year with the team, as well as a preview of their game this weekend against Westminster. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey Team Excited for Exhibition Game Against Whitecaps

This is the fourth straight year that UMD will open with the Whitecaps at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hockey has returned to Amsoil Arena, specifically for the UMD women’s hockey team. The Bulldogs will open their season Saturday with an exhibition against the defending NWHL champions, the Minnesota Whitecaps. This is the fourth straight year that UMD will open with the Whitecaps at Amsoil Arena, which gives the Bulldogs a great chance to iron out…

Former CEC Standout Mason Langenbrunner Commits to Harvard

Langenbrunner transferred to Eden Prarie for this upcoming season.

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Former Cloquet-Esko-Carlton hockey standout Mason Langenbrunner announced on Twitter Thursday that he has committed to joining the Harvard men’s hockey team. Langenbrunner, who transferred to Eden Prarie for this upcoming season, finished with 18 points as sophomore last season for the Lumberjacks. The defenseman was also a 10th round pick by the Sioux City Musketeers in…

Phil Peliska Named New Head Coach for Panthers Boys Basketball Team

Peliska has spent the past 20 years at Virginia High School.

CULVER, Minn. – South Ridge High School announced this week that Phil Peliska will take over for the boys basketball team. Peliska has spent the past 20 years at Virginia High School, as well as two years as an assistant for the Mesabi women’s basketball team. He also played one year under legendary basketball coach Rich Odell. The Panthers will…

Bulldogs, Beavers to Meet in NSIC Football Unbeatens Showdown

The UMD football team travels to Bemidji State this weekend.

DULUTH, Minn. – After a tough “Battle for the Bone” against St. Cloud State, things don’t get easier for the UMD football team as the Bulldogs get set to take on longtime rivals Bemidji State in a battle of two teams who are 3–0 in the NSIC North division. “They’ve had a lot of great players. We’ve had a lot…

UMD Tennis Team Practices at Glensheen’s Clay Court

The courts are one of only two natural clay courts still intact in Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn. The UMD women’s tennis team had a special opportunity Wednesday to wrap up their fall practices with an old school feel. The Bulldogs practiced at the seldom-used clay tennis courts at Glensheen, one of the oldest in the country. It is the first time that UMD practiced on the courts, which have a lot of historical significance being…

Greyhounds Boys Soccer Blank Hilltoppers

Two goals would be enough for Duluth East to get the win over Duluth Marshall.

DULUTH, Minn. – In a meeting of crosstown rivals, the Duluth East soccer team got the road win over Duluth Marshall 2-0 Wednesday afternoon at Marshall High School. Duncan Zentz and David Wallerstein scored for the Greyhounds, who improve to 8-5 on the season. The Hilltoppers fall to 6-7. Categories: High School, Sports

#GOTW Preview: Greyhounds, Hunters Renew Their Rivalry

Kickoff for Friday night's game is set for 6 p.m. at Ordean Stadium.

DULUTH, Minn. – Our FOX 21 Sports Game of the Week will highlight what might be the biggest rivalry in the Northland: Duluth East versus Duluth Denfeld. For the Hunters, they are still looking for their first win of the season which gives them extra motivation for this week’s game. As for the Greyhounds, they’ve won three in a row…

Prep Volleyball: Hawks Winners at Home; T-Hawks with Road Win over Hunters

Hermantown got the win at home over Virginia, while Grand Rapids swept Duluth Denfeld on the road.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Alana Mayry led the way with 11 kills and Kennedy Barrett chipped in with 39 set assists as the Hermantown volleyball team knocked off Virginia 3-1 Tuesday night at the Hawks Gym. The Blue Devils got 13 kills from Kaylee Iverson and Alli Anderson finished with 45 set assists to help the cause. In other volleyball action,…

No “Kidd”ing: Spartans Boys Soccer Blast Agates Behind Six Goals from Jakob Kidd

The Superior boys soccer team scored early and often against Two Harbors.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sophomore Jakob Kidd scored six goals in the first half as the Superior boys soccer team got the win over Two Harbors 10-0 Tuesday night at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex. Ethan Defoe scored twice while Alex Hanson and Tiegan Roden also found the back of the net for the Spartans, who improve to 9-0 on the…

Saints Women’s Soccer Win Third Straight Over Scots

The St. Scholastica women's soccer team got their third consecutive win on Tuesday afternoon.

DULUTH, Minn. – Brea Archer and Morgan Friday each found the back of the net as the St. Scholastica women’s soccer team knocked off Macalester 2-0 Tuesday afternoon at Saints Field. Hibbing native Alexa Gothard finished with five saves on the day to record her second career shutout. Next up for the Saints is a UMAC matc-up against Minnesota Morris…

UMD Offensive Line Keeping Pocket Clean for QB Larson

The Bulldogs have allowed just one sack through three games.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team came into the season with a lot of question marks up front. But through the first three games they have only give up one sack. And with how the offense is designed that’s good news for quarterback John Larson. “It’s a been a good start to the year that’s for sure. We came…

Former Bulldog Justin Faulk Traded to St. Louis

The 27-year-old is a three-time All Star and has been one of the top scoring defenseman since joining the NHL back in 2012.

ST. LOUIS, Miss. – Big news in the NHL as former UMD men’s hockey star Justin Faulk has been traded from Carolina to St. Louis. The Blues also announced a seven-year, $45.5 million extension for Faulk, who was the Hurricanes highest-scoring defenseman in franchise history. In exchange, Carolina received Joel Edmundson, Dominik Bokk and a seventh-round pick. The 27-year-old is…

Coaches Corner: Mike Zagelmayer

For this week's segment, we catch up with Hawks head coach.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we talked with Hermantown head football coach Mike Zagelmayer. The Hawks are off to another good start to the season as Coach Zagelmayer talked about the landscape of high school football as well as how impressed he has been with the Hermantown defense. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Friday Night Frenzy Highlights and Scores 9/20/19

Here's all the action from Friday night including big wins for Hermantown, Esko, Grand Rapids and South Ridge.

MN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Hermantown 30 Duluth Denfeld 8 (F) Cloquet 50 Hibbing 14 (F) Mora 44 Esko 36 (F) Grand Rapids 30 Proctor 3 (F) Two Harbors 20 Virginia 8 (F) Duluth East 36 North Branch 16 (F) International Falls 14 Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin 56 (F) MN NINE-PERSON FOOTBALL Northeast 0 South Ridge 52 (F) McGregor 16 Cromwell-Wright 13 (F) WI…

UMD Volleyball Opens NSIC Play with Home Sweep

The Bulldogs would make quick work of Upper Iowa as they win it 3-0.

DULUTH, Minn. – Kate Berg led the way with 15 kills as the UMD volleyball team swept Upper Iowa 3-0 Friday night at Romano Gym. Meredith Sutton chipped in with 11 kills of her own while Emily Balts recorded 42 assists. The Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday as they host Winona State. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports,…

Prep Soccer: Greyhounds Sweep Hunters; Spartans Top T-Hawks Behind Kidd’s Hat Trick

The Duluth East boys and girls soccer team picked up home wins over their Duluth Denfeld counterparts.

DULUTH, Minn. – Maddie Sarvela scored the lone goal of the match as the Duluth East girls soccer team knocked off Duluth Denfeld 1-0 Thursday night at Ordean Stadium. In boys soccer action, David Wallerstein and Aidan Erickson found the back of the net as the Greyhounds topped the Hunters 2-1. And Jakob Kidd finished with a hat trick as…

Prep Volleyball: Raiders Stay Undefeated, Eskomos Win Fourth Straight

Greenway stay undefeated on the season as they knocked off Cloquet on the road.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Claire Vekich led all hitters with 22 kills as Greenway got the road win over Cloquet 3-1 Thursday night at Cloquet Middle School. The Lumberjacks would hand the Raiders their first set loss of the season. But they rolled the rest of the way to improve to 11-0. In other volleyball action, Esko won their fourth in…

UMD Football to Take On St. Cloud State in “Battle for the Bone”

Kickoff for Saturday's game at Malosky Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Many college football rivalry games have a nickname. Colorado state and Wyoming play for the Bronze Boot. Wisconsin and Minnesota play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Akron and Kent State play for a Wagon Wheel. This weekend, the UMD football team will take on St. Cloud State in the “Battle for the Bone”. The tradition is only two…

Saints Football Team Returns to PSS for Homecoming Weekend

Kickoff at Public Schools Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team has a lot to celebrate this weekend when they take on Crown College. The Saints will take on the Storm for their homecoming game and it will mark their return to their home field, Public Schools Stadium. And it will be an extra special game for running back Dominic Klaas, who returns…

UMD Volleyball to Open Conference Play at Home

The Bulldogs will take on Upper Iowa on Friday and Winona State on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s going to be a busy weekend for college sports in Duluth, but the best show might be inside Romano Gym as the UMD volleyball return to their home court. The 4th-ranked Bulldogs are currently 7–1 with their only loss coming against Cal State-San Bernadino, the top team in the country. But now it’s time to take…

#GOTW Preview: Panthers Looking to Stay Hot Against NightHawks

South Ridge won back-to-back games so far, pushing their record to 2–1 on the season.

CULVER, Minn. – For our FOX 21 Sports Game of the Week, we’ll be in Culver to check out a red-hot South Ridge team who is starting to figure things out early on in the season. The Panthers have won back-to-back games so far, pushing their record to 2–1 on the season. South Ridge has looked impressive on both sides…

Former Bulldog, Current Mirage Head Coach Emma Stauber Re-Signs with Whitecaps

The Duluth native will make her return to Amsoil Arena next Saturday when the Bulldogs host the Whitecaps in an exhibition game.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Former UMD Bulldog Emma Stauber has re–signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps. Stauber, who is currently the head coach of the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage hockey team, was the third-highest scoring defender for the Whitecaps last season, helping them capture the 2018 Isobel Cup in their inaugural season. The Duluth native was a standout player at UMD and will…

UMD Men’s Hockey Sits Atop NCHC Preseason Media Poll

UMD will open their season with an exhibition game at home on October 5th against the University of Alberta.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The two-time defending champions UMD men’s hockey team received 23 out of 28 first-place votes to be named the favorites to win the Penrose Cup. The Bulldogs finished second in the NCHC regular season last year before going on an amazing run that saw them win the conference title and national championship. Denver comes in at…

Saints Soccer Teams Sweep Rams to Open UMAC Play

The St. Scholastica men's and women's soccer teams picked up shutout wins at Saints Field.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nolan Friday and Alex Dodd each scored twice as the St. Scholastica men’s soccer team blanked North Central 5-0 Tuesday afternoon at Saints Field. Noah Hooey also scored for the Saints, who picked up their first win of the season. And in the women’s match, Morgan Friday scored five goals in the first half as the Saints…

Defense Still Elite for UMD Football Team

The UMD defense continues to be ranked among the best units, not just in the NSIC, but in the entire country as well.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team’s defense continues to be ranked among the best units, not just in the NSIC, but in the entire country as well. The Bulldogs rank 18th allowing just 24 first downs this season and ninth in red zone defense at 50 percent. Opponents have averaged just 54.0 rushing yards against the Bulldogs, the 18th…

Four Bulldogs Named to NCHC All-Conference Team

The league's Preseason Media Poll will be released Wednesday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The NCHC released their Preseason All-Conference Team Tuesday afternoon and four UMD Bulldogs were honored. They are forwards Justin Richards and Nick Swaney, defenseman Scott Perunovich and goalie Hunter Shepard, who was picked unanimously. Richards was the league’s best defensive forward last season while Perunovich has been the NCHC’s best offensive defenseman for the past two…

Prep Soccer: Hawks, Hilltoppers Split Doubleheader; Rails Win in OT

Monday night's action saw the Hermantown boys, Marshall girls and Proctor girls pick up wins.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – In a high school soccer doubleheader, the Hermantown boys blanked Duluth Marshall 4-0 and the Hilltopper girls shut out the Hawks 5-0 Monday night at Corey Veech Memorial Stadium. In other girls action, Emma Terhaar scored the game-winning goal as Proctor picked up an overtime win at home over Grand Rapids 2-1 at Egerdahl Field. Kelsey Tangen…