College

UWS Soccer to Seek Seventh-Straight UMAC Title

Lost in first round of NCAA Division III Tournament in 2022

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s soccer team has instilled a tradition of excellence within their program, winning the UMAC Championship six years in a row. With their season opener less than two weeks away, the Yellowjackets are confident they can win a seventh-straight conference title. Last year, UWS had their season end in the first round of the Division III…

CSS Volleyball Begins New Era Under Head Coach Chelsea Meierotto

The Saints open the season September 1st against Lawrence University at the SMU Sugar Loaf Classic.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s a new era for the St. Scholastica volleyball team as Chelsea Meierotto takes over for Dana Moore, who retired after 26 seasons leading the Saints. Meierotto is in his first week of practice as head coach of CSS. She comes from Northland College in Ashland, where she coached the Lumberjills the last four seasons. New is a…

UMD Defenseman Will Francis’ Cancer Returns, Says Plan is to Return to Hockey in January

In two years at UMD, Francis has played in 33 games and recorded one assist.

DULUTH, Minn.- Some unfortunate hockey news as UMD junior defenseman Will Francis has announced his cancer has returned and he will miss the first half of the 2023-2024 season for treatments. In a statement, Francis said he is disapointed and shocked at the news but ended it by saying he’s determined to make a return in January. In two years…

UMD Cross Country Enters Season With Experience

Coaches poll places Bulldogs at fourth in NSIC

DULUTH, Minn.- With the fall sports season quickly approaching, both of UMD’s cross country teams have laced up their sneakers as they chase their first conference team championship in over 20 years. In last week’s NSIC Coaches poll, both the Bulldogs’ men’s and women’s cross country teams were selected to finish fourth in the conference. Head Coach Brette Jensen is…

UMD’s Jares Embracing Leadership Role

Led Bulldogs in goals, points in 2022

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD soccer team still has plenty of time to prepare for the regular season as they look to improve from last season after missing the playoffs. One of the Bulldogs’ top players in 2022 will be back on the pitch with an increased role in the locker room. Jackie Jares led UMD in points with four goals…

Youth Movement No More as CSS Football Enters Year 3 in MIAC Conference

The Saints open the season September 9th at Rockford University.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Thursday afternoon the St. Scholastica football team held their first practice of the season. After getting their first win in the MIAC conference last year, St. Scholastica preps for their 3rd full season in the division. Different from those first two years are a number of upper classman. CSS has 20 juniors and 4 seniors returning to…

Proctor’s Hope Carlson to Play College Hoops at St. Scholastica

Carlson averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game last season.

PROCTOR, Minn.- A Proctor girls basketball standout won’t have to go far for her next team. Forward Hope Carlson announced that she will suit up for the College of Scholastica this upcoming season. Just last season, Carlson was a Class AA All-State honorable mention. She averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game. Categories: College, High School, Sports

CSS & Duluth FC Defender Ken Pryde Signs Pro Deal in Philippines

In four years for the Saints, Pryde tallied 12 goals and two assists in 69 games of action.

DULUTH, Minn.- A former St. Scholastica and Duluth FC defender is heading to the pros. Ken Pryde has signed a deal with Stallion Laguna FC in the Philipines Football League. In four years for the Saints, Pryde tallied 12 goals and two assists in 69 games of action. He also earned all-conference honors in three of the four seasons. Categories:…

St. Scholastica Names Alum Jason Kask as New Head Nordic Skiing Coach

Kask is the 3rd head coach in program history.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica has a new head coach and he’s an alum of the university. On Tuesday, the school hired Jason Kask as the team’s nordic skiing head coach. Kask was a member of the nordic skiing and cross country teams at CSS from 2004 to 2008. Upon graduation, he became the owner of Superior performance. Kask is the…

UMD Captain Mannon McMahon Named to U.S. Collegiate Select Women’s Team

McMahon will get her first action in the red, white, and blue on Wednesday when they face Canada in a three-game series.

DULUTH, Minn.- Current UMD women’s hockey captain Mannon McMahon was named to the U.S. Collegiate Select Women’s Team on Saturday. McMahon will get her first action in the red, white, and blue on Wednesday when they face Canada in a three-game series. McMahon posted 10 goals and 19 assists just this past season with the Bulldogs. Categories: College, Sports, University…

UMD Soccer Eager to Build off Last Season’s Success

Missed 2022 Playoffs despite winning record

DULUTH, Minn.- The University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs soccer team has returned to the pitch ahead of their August 31 season opener. Despite finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2017, UMD failed to reach the playoffs. Head Coach Greg Cane believes his team has the tools to make a postseason run this fall, but he also identified…

Fresh Off First NCAA Tournament Berth Since 2019, UMD Volleyball Ready to Run It Back with 6 Starters

The UMD volleyball team had a season to remember in 2022, making their first NCAA tournament since 2019.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD volleyball team had a season to remember in 2022, making their first NCAA tournament since 2019. But, like each team every year they started over on Monday with their first practices of the season. There weren’t too many nametags on at the first practice. Because UMD will return six of their seven starters from a year…

St. Scholastica Baseball Adds Seth Betts to Coaching Staff

He reunites with CSS Head Coach Brooks Repking, as the two were teammates in 2018.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica baseball team added to their coaching staff on Thursday. Seth Betts has been named the new Director of Player Development and Assistant Head Coach. He most recently was the Director of Baseball and Director of Hitting at Starters Sports Training in Burnsville. Betts played collegiately at Crown College, where he was the UMAC Player of…

Duluth Marshall Alum Grace Kirk Hosts First-Ever Girls Basketball Camp

The camp wasn't all basketball as Kirk led a talking session on self-determination, self-worth, and voice for young women.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Marshall alum Grace Kirk has gone on to do big things since her Hilltopper career ended in 2020. Now a senior guard at Brown University, Kirk made her return to the Duluth community to give back with her first-ever girls basketball camp. Nearly a dozen local athletes grades 8 through 12 were on hand to receive instructions…

UMD Volleyball Lands at #3 in NSIC Poll, Gordon Named Player to Watch

The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they made their first national tournament since 2019.

DULUTH, Minn.- The NSIC preseason coaches poll was released on Wednesday morning. Coming in at number three was UMD with 165 points. Just ahead of them was Wayne State at number two and Concordia-St. Paul at number one. On the players to watch list is 5th year senior Madison Gordon. Gordon recorded career-highs in assists, kills, and points last year….

UMD Captain Tanner Laderoute Re-Signs with Wheeling Nailers of ECHL

The UMD captain would suit up in 11 games for the Nailers last season.

DULUTH, Minn.- Last season, Tanner Laderoute split time with UMD and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Now, he’ll enter his first full season as a pro with the same team that gave him his first opportunity. Laderoute is staying in Wheeling on a one-year deal. The UMD captain would suit up in 11 games for the Nailers. He would…

Former UMD Defenseman Derek Daschke Joins Abbotsford Canucks

Daschke most recently played for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD Defenseman Derek Daschke will play for the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL this upcoming season. After his lone season with UMD in which he totaled 16 points, Daschke played for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL. He would also have one goal and six assists in the games he skated. Daschke would tack on two more…

UMD Football Aims to Get Back to Playing the Standard in 2023 Season

UMD's first regular season game is at home on August 31st against Northern Michigan.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team is coming off an 8-3 season just a year ago. Which on paper looks pretty good. But as the Bulldogs hit the practice field this afternoon for the first time this season, they were adamant that that’s not the standard. 105 players make up the 2023 camp roster. Which consist of a mixture of…

Former UMD Goaltender Alex Stalock Joins Ducks On One-Year Contract

This upcoming year will be Stalock's 12th in the league.

ANAHEIM, C.A.- A former UMD goaltender has found a new NHL team. Alex Stalock and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to a one-year contract through the 2023-2024 season. Stalock comes from the Chicago Blackhawks, where he had 24 starts last season. He went 9-15-2 with two shutouts in those games. Anaheim will be the 4th NHL team for Stalock. He’s previously…

Grand Rapids Forward Jessika Lofstrom to Play College Hoops at Jamestown

Just this past season, Lofstrom averaged 16 points per game and helped lead Rapids to their 3rd consecutive state tournament.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Grand Rapids standout Jessika Lofstrom has announced her college commitment. Over the weekend, Lofstrom said on her personal twitter page she intends to suit up for the University of Jamestown, once her time with the Thunderhawks comes to an end. Just this past season, she averaged 16 points per game and helped lead Rapids to their 3rd…

UMD Men’s Hockey to Face Northeastern University at Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off

The game will take place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team had an addition to their schedule earlier this week. The Bulldogs will face Northeastern University on December 28th at the home of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The semifinal game is a part of the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. UMD is one of four teams scheduled to play at the…

Vikings Waive Former UMD Tight End & Captain Zach Ojile

Ojile signed with the Vikings on May 15th as an undrafted free agent.

EAGAN, Minn.- After almost three months of being on the Vikings roster, Zach Ojile’s dream of playing for his hometown team has come to an end for now. The former UMD tight end was waived by Minnesota on Friday after the team signed XFL running back Abram Smith. Ojile’s journey to the NFL started back on May 12th, when he…

Former Bulldog & Vikings FB Zach Ojile Reflects on 1st NFL Training Camp & Impending Preseason Debut

Ojile is looking to be the first Bulldog to make an active NFL roster since Dave Viaene in 1992.

EAGAN, Minn.- Former UMD tight end now turned Vikings fullback Zach Ojile has officially had one week of training camp under his belt. He’ll now have over three more weeks to impress the coaching staff as he fights for a spot on the 53 man roster. Ojile is in a position battle with Duluth native C.J. Ham. But there are…

Duluth Native & UMD Assistant Laura Bellamy Named Head Women’s Hockey Coach at Harvard

Bellamy spent eight seasons on the Bulldog coaching staff.

DULUTH, Minn.- A longtime assistant coach is departing the UMD women’s hockey program. Associate head coach Laura Bellamy has accepted the head coaching position at her alma mater Harvard. The Duluth native spent eight seasons on the Bulldog coaching staff. She helped guide UMD to one national title game, two frozen fours, and five postseason wins in the past three…

Rilee Dawson to Step Down as CSS Head Softball Coach

Dawson led the Saints to four UMAC regular season titles and one NCAA Regional tournament appearance.

DULUTH, Minn.- After twenty years in the program as a player, assistant coach, and finally a head coach, Rilee Dawson is stepping down as the St. Scholastica head softball coach. The move will be official on August 4th as Dawson is expected to pursue other opportunities. In her first six seasons as Head Coach, she led the Saints to four…

Hermantown’s Henry Peterson Commits to Play Hockey at St. Thomas

Peterson skated in 22 games last season for the Hawks and would tally one goal and two assists.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- With the calender flipping over to August, junior high school hockey players are allowed to announce their verbal college commitments. Hermantown junior defenseman Henry Peterson was one of those players to waste no time. Peterson announced via his own personal Twitter account that he has committed to the University of St. Thomas. He skated in 22 games last…

UMD Men’s Basketball Sets Sail for Spain Summer Tour

A mix of work and play. The team will spend days soaking in the culture and some rays, making stops in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

  DULUTH, Minn.- Coming off an extraordinary, history making postseason run, the Bulldogs men’s basketball team has returned some old faces, added some new ones and are shaping up for another great season. But first, the team will get their first taste together on the hardwood, overseas as the Bulldogs set sail for their Summer Tour. UMD is set to…

UMD Women’s Hockey Adds Emma Sobieck to Coaching Staff

Sobieck comes from Bemidji State, where she was also an assistant for the past two seasons.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team has a new assistant coach. On Friday, the team hired Emma Sobieck to join the coaching staff. She comes from Bemidji State, where she was also an assistant for the past two seasons. Sobieck also played collegiately for the Beavers, skating in 146 games. In her senior year, she had a career best…

UWS Men’s & Women’s Soccer Release Schedules for 2023 Season

The UWS women's squad is vying for their 3rd straight UMAC title. The men are aiming for their 8th.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The defending champions in the UMAC released their schedules for the upcoming season. First up the women’s squad, the Yellowjackets will start the year on the road. A whopping six games away from Superior to begin the season. Their first match is September 1st against Gustavus Adolphus. Five games later, they’ll finally have their home opener on September…

Northland College to Add Men’s & Women’s Wrestling in Fall of 2025

With the addition of both wrestling squads, the school will now have 16 varsity sports.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College in Ashland announced they are adding men’s and women’s wrestling beginning in the Fall of 2025. The school has immediately begun their search for a head coach. With the addition of both wrestling squads, the school will now have 16 varsity sports. The NCAA currently has 109 institutions that offer men’s wrestling and 44 schools that…

UMD Soccer Announces Captains for 2023 Fall Season

UMD opens the season on August 31st at Northern Michigan.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD women’s soccer announced their captains for the upcoming season. They are fifth-year seniors Lauren Hansen and Sarah Stange, and senior Jackie Jares. Hansen and Stange previously served as the Bulldog captains in 2022. Hansen would play in all 18 games while Stange had an injury that limited her to only nine games. Jares started in 15 games…

UMD’s Anneke Linser Joins Djurgardens in Swedish Women’s Hockey League

Just this past season, the 5th year senior would tally 17 goals and 30 points in 39 games for the Bulldogs.

DULUTH, Minn.- Back in early June  former Bulldogs Naomi Rogge and Anneke Linser each signed pro deals in the PHF. After the league was bought out, Rogge made the jump to the Swedish Women’s Hockey League. Now Linser will be joining her. However, they’ll be on different teams as Linser signed with Djurgardens. Just this past season, the 5th year…

Kelly Grgas-Wheeler Named UMD Director of Athletic Communications

Grgas-Wheeler has worn many different hats since starting with Bulldog Athletics almost 17 years ago.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Friday, the UMD Athletics department named a Kelly Grgas-Wheeler as the Director of Athletic Communications and Media Relations. Grgas-Wheeler has worn many different hats in her time with Bulldog Athletics. She’s served as the men’s and women’s basketball contact, the women’s hockey communications director for the past 16 years, acted as the communications director in three NCAA…

Hermantown’s Peyton Menzel to Play College Football at UMD

The soon to be senior wideout hauled in 40 receptions with seven touchdowns and 579 yards receiving.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A Hermantown standout is staying close to home to play college football. Hawks wide receiver Peyton Menzel announced his commitment to UMD on Saturday. The soon to be senior wideout hauled in 40 receptions with seven touchdowns and 579 yards receiving. Overall, he would accumulate 687 all-purpose yards. Menzel and Hermantown are coming off a 6-3 season last…

Northland Men’s Basketball Coach Scott Sorenson Selected for NCAA College Basketball Academy

This will be the 2nd time in his career that Sorenson has coached at the academy. His first year was back in 2019.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland head men’s basketball coach Scott Sorenson will make his way to Memphis later this month. Sorenson will serve as a coach for the NCAA College Basketball Academy. The academy give prospective men’s and women’s student athletes a sample of the college basketball experience. This will be the 2nd time in his career that Sorenson has coached at…

UMD’s Henderson & Gascon Invited to Team Canada’s National Development Camp

Henderson posted one goal and six assists last season. While Gascon is set to make her debut this fall.

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario.- Two current UMD women’s hockey players will have a chance to suit up for Team Canada at their National Women’s Development Team training camp. Sophomore defenseman Tova Henderson and freshman goaltender Eve Gascon will take part in the four-day camp in Ontario. Henderson posted one goal and six assists last season, while Gascon is set to make…

UMD Men’s Hockey Releases Roster for 2023-2024 Season

UMD will have six new players suiting up for the team this season.

DULUTH, Minn.- 82 days from now the UMD men’s hockey team will drop the puck in their home and season opener against Michigan Tech. And just over the weekend, the team released their roster for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs will have four freshman suiting up for the team. They are headlined by defensman Aaron Pionk and forward Matthew Perkins,…

St. Scholastica Announces 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

The class will officially be inducted on October 14th as part of Homecoming weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of St. Scholastica announced their 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Class on Thursday afternoon. It will be the 12th class in program history to be inducted. The class includes a pair of All-Americans, Walt Aufderheide, who is tied for the program record with 18 wins as he manned the pipes for the Saints from 1979 to…

Rooney Rounds Out Bulldogs at USA Women’s Hockey National Festival

The festival takes place August 7th through the 13th in Lake Placid, New York.

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- It was announced on Tuesday that four UMD women’s hockey standouts from a year ago will be skating at the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival. Also on the list is former UMD goaltender and olympic gold medalist Maddie Rooney. Rooney has already established herself, but it will be a big weekend for current Bulldogs Mannon McMahon and…

Four Bulldogs Invited to USA Hockey Women’s National Festival

The festival will take place from August 7th to August 13 at Lake Placid in New York.

DULUTH, Minn.- Four UMD women’s hockey players will be participating in the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival later this summer. Maggie Flaherty, Gabbie Hughes, Mannon McMahon, and Clara Van Wieren have all been invited to compete at the Festival. Duluth native Sanya Sandahl will also serve as the goaltending coach. It will take place from August 7th to August 13…

Naomi Rogge Joins SDE of Swedish Women’s Hockey League

Rogge graduated as the program's all-time games played record holder.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog Naomi Rogge will get to play hockey this year after all. Rogge originially signed her first professional contract with the Metropolitan Riveters of the PHF earlier this off-season, but the league would be bought out. Now, she’s heading overseas as she signed a deal with SDE of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League. Rogge graduated as the…

Northland College Names New Head Baseball & Head Men’s Hockey Coach

The school made the official announcements last Friday.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College in Ashland has a new head baseball coach. The team named former Duluth Denfeld coach Cal Fougner as their new bench boss. Fougner had been with Valley City State in North Dakota since 2020 as their lead assistant coach. He also coached at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College back in 2012. On the ice,…

UMD’s Noah Cates & Flyers Agree to Two-Year Contract Extension

Cates was one of four NHL rookies to appear in every game for his team.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.-  It appears former Bulldog Noah Cates and the Philadelphia Flyers won’t have to go to arbitration anymore. On Monday, the left wing and Philadelphia agreed to a two-year contract extension worth 5.25 million dollars. Cates recorded 38 points in 82 games for the Flyers last season. He was one of four NHL rookies to appear in every game…

Nick Wolff Departs Boston Bruins for Anaheim Ducks Organization

The D-man would register four points in 35 games just this past season.

SAN DIEGO, C.A.- Defenseman Nick Wolff departed the Boston Bruins organization for the Anaheim Ducks organization on Thursday evening. Wolff signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Gulls, who are the AHL affiliate of the Ducks. Wolff played in 91 games for the Providence Bruins the last three seasons. The D-man would register four points in 35 games just…

Former Bulldog Noah Cates Files for Arbitration with Philadelphia Flyers

The arbitrator will have the sole discretion to decide Cates' 2023-24 salary on either a one or two year deal.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.- Former UMD left wing Noah Cates has filed for arbitration with the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia extended a qualifying offer to Cates back in June for almost 875 thousand dollars, which is 50 thousand dollars less than he made this past season. Cates appeared in all 82 games last season for the Flyers. He would post 13 goals and…

Former Hermantown Hawk Dylan Samberg Re-Signs with Winnipeg Jets

The defenseman stays with a Bulldog heavy Winnipeg Jet roster that already includes Alex Iafallo, Neal Pionk, and Dominic Toninato.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba.- Former Hermantown Hawk and UMD Bulldog Dyland Samberg is re-upping with the Winnipeg Jets on a two-year, 2.8 million dollar deal. Samberg just finished up his 2nd season in the NHL. In 63 games played, he would total two goals and six assists. The defenseman stays with a Bulldog heavy Winnipeg Jet roster that already includes Alex Iafallo,…

Esko Native Karson Kuhlman Signs One-Year Deal with New York Islanders

This will be Kuhlman's 4th NHL team as he also spent time with the Boston Bruins early in his career.

  ELMONT, N.Y.- He spent last season splitting time with the Seattle Kraken and the Winnipeg Jets. Now, Esko native Karson Kuhlman is once again on the move. Kuhlman and the New York Islanders agreed to a one-year, two-way contract on Wednesday afternoon. The former Bulldog would tally three goals and seven points in 47 games of action last year….

St. Scholastica Names Brooks Repking New Head Baseball Coach

Repking comes from Crown College, where he was the head coach for the Polars in the 2023 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica baseball team has a new head coach. Brooks Repking becomes the 5th head baseball coach in program history. He replaces Corey Kemp, who returned to the program on an interim basis in 2023. Repking comes from Crown College, where he was the head coach for the Polars in the 2023 season. He helped lead the…

Arizona State Joins NCHC as 9th Member of Conference

This is the first time since the conference began play in 2013 that the NCHC is expanding.

TEMPE, AZ.- The UMD men’s hockey team played Arizona State twice last season in non-conference play. Starting in the 2024-2025 season, the Bulldogs will meet the Sun Devils in conference play as Arizona State was announced as the 9th member of the NCHC conference on Wednesday. This is the first time since the conference began play in 2013 that the…

Goaltender Hunter Shepard Staying in Hershey on Two-Year, Two-Way Contract

Shepard posted a record of 20-8-5 while helping guide the Bears to a Calder Cup title.

HERSHEY, Penn.- Cohasset native and former Grand Rapids goaltender Hunter Shepard is staying put. On Sunday, it was announced that the Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals, and Shepard agreed to a two-year, two-way contract. Shepard posted a record of 20-8-5 while helping guide the Bears to a Calder Cup title. Categories: Professional Sports, Sports, University of Minnesota…