Tag: sport

First comeback

On By terpaneseIn Soccer, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Photo Credit: Russell Hons -UND Athletics

On a rain-soaked Bronson Field, the Fighting Hawks of UND accomplished something that had never been done under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Logan. This team went down 1-0 to the Gaels of St Mary’s College 51:44 into the match on a corner kick that found its way to Malia Alison to open the scoring ledger for the day.

That lead lasted a mere 1:56 as a perfectly placed Bailey McNitt corner found Mara Yapello who was able to tie things up on a shot to the left side of the net.

The score would remain level until the second overtime frame because of UND goalie Catherine Klein parrying away a number of great looks for the Gaels.

107:58 into the match, once again the game was on Bailey McNitt’s foot. After recently coming on as a late substitute for Mimi Eiden , her skills at the corner flag were needed once again. She placed a ball in a tough spot for the Gaels who were unable to clear it from danger. Then Mara Yapello found Meghan Wilson who put home the golden goal for the Fighting Hawks.

UND finished a home weekend against two quality non-conference opponents in Montana and St. Mary’s undefeated. Today’s match presented different challenges as the Fighting Hawks faced one of the fastest teams they will see all season. In a battle of speed against speed UND was able to hang on through tough stretches and come out with a hard-earned victory.

Going forward, this team can build on a few things like ensuring a more stable possession throughout the middle of the field. As Logan noted, when the team is able to do that, given the skilled players they have, they become much harder to defend.

As UND works on that they can gain more options to utilize their strong speed on the wings to open up quality looks on goal.

Now the Fighting Hawks head out on a two game road trip through South Carolina to build on this weekend’s results. The Fighting Hawks take on South Carolina State and The Citadel this week before returning home on September 6 to take on Chicago State.

If this team can keep improving as they have under Logan since he came to campus then this season promises to be as electric as today’s result is.

Electric exhibition ending for UND Soccer

On By terpaneseIn Soccer, UncategorizedLeave a comment

(Photo Credit: Russell Hons-UND Athletics)

On a beautiful Friday afternoon in Grand Forks, on the lush Bronson Field, the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks showcased their readiness to tangle with Big Sky Champion Montana in one week. Fighting Hawks’ Head Coach Chris Logan utilized a different system throughout this game than his first one, and his team responded quite well.

UND took the exhibition finale over the Viterbo V-Hawks 5-0. The V-Hawks only registered one shot on net on the day. That shot was a perfectly placed ball in the top right corner but denied by freshman netminder Madi Livingston in the second half.

On the day, Mimi Eiden lead UND with two goals. Mara Yapello, Emma Bangert, and Lauren Glas added to the total. This team spent the majority of the game on offense, sending chance after chance into the box thanks to the wonderful and consistent wing play that again lead the way for the Fighting Hawks.

Everyone played their role on this team today once again leading to a strong win. Lest anyone doubt what Viterbo can do, they held a strong North Dakota State University team off the scoreboard in the first half of a Wednesday night exhibition in Fargo.

Going forward, what stands out to me about this team so far is not its attackers. The offense is lead by players like Mimi Eiden has played with speed since she came to campus. What stands out to me about this team is something that Logan has mentioned in both post game press conferences. This is arguably the deepest group of players he has had to work with since taking over as Head Coach at UND.

Today for instance, Viterbo looked to key in on fast players like Eiden, and she still scored twice, as other players like Mara Yapello benefited from that. Every player on the pitch can contribute offensively for this team and has shown an ability to do so in preseason, goalkeepers included.

All three goalies, Catherine Klein, Madi Livingston, and Hallie Byzewski are strong distributors of the ball from their back line and do a wonderful job of starting positive possessions. The challenge for this team is learning what to adjust to better improve its chemistry, a natural part of beginning any season, to be able to convert more of the numerous chances it will generate as the regular season starts next week.

These Fighting Hawks take on the Grizzlies of the University of Montana one week from today at 3:00 PM at Bronson Field. This will not be an easy opener, as Grizzlies Head Coach Chris Citowicki was Logan’s assistant in his first year in Grand Forks before taking the Montana job.

Citowicki leads a talented Montana side who was lead his team to the NCAA Tournament last year, and knows how to build rosters. These Fighting Hawks have benefited from many of the recruiting connections of Citowicki getting top players to come to Grand Forks, like Eiden.

Come to Bronson Field to check out what promises to be a wonderful opener and test for the Fighting Hawks one week from today, attendance is free and this team is fun to watch.

Bank on It: Nick Jones Sends UND Back to the Frozen Faceoff with OT Game Winner

On By terpaneseIn Ice Hockey, Uncategorized, UNDLeave a comment

(Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee for Violent Turtle Photography)

Grand Forks, ND

53 seconds into overtime, the bank was open for the University of North Dakota. Forward Nick Jones picked up the overtime winner for the Fighting Hawks off of Omaha goalie Evan Weninger. Jones tied the game for UND in the third period on a redirect past a screened Weninger on the power play.The junior forward took a rebound from a Jordan Kawaguchi shot, and used the positioning of Weninger to his advantage.In addition, that goal provided Kawaguchi with his first collegiate assist. His two tallies provided the difference for a UND side that needed a spark after giving up another two goal lead. The Jones tally sent 10351 fans at Ralph Engelstad Arena home happy.

This sweep in the NCHC First Round keeps UND’s hopes for the NCAA Tournament alive. They still have more work to do. The only thing this win guarantees the Fighting Hawks is two more games next weekend. It also showed that UND can come back from deficits, and that its experience in numerous overtime games helped equip them for tough situations like tonight.

After a long review it was determined that Matt Kiersted opened the scoring 10:13 into the game as he just squeaked the puck over the goal line before Weninger pulled the puck out of the net.

A few minutes later Bowen took a feed from Trevor Olson and walked in on breakaway. He went forehand-backhand to put the puck past Weninger 14:05 into the first.

The Mavericks answered right back as  Teemu Pulkkinen redirected a powerful Lucas Buchta wrist shot past Cam Johnson 15:28 into the first. UNO got its first goal in its last six periods. on that tally.

Pulkkinen would strike again in the second period, and tie things up for the Mavericks. UNO fought back from the first period and played UND even throughout the second frame and into the third period. In the third stanza, Jake Randolph gave UNO the lead 5:41 into the final regulation frame.

Nick Jones would score the first of his two goals on a redirect past Weninger. Jones’ net front presence made it impossible for Weninger to see the puck. The score would remained tied for the final 9:46 of regulation time.

UND will await the results of the Miami-St. Cloud, and Colorado College-Denver game threes tomorrow. These results determine UND’s opponent on Friday in St. Paul.  The Fighting Hawks still have to win at least one if not both games depending on their opponents next weekend. In addition, UND cannot cough up another two goal lead, this habit has cost them games and almost hurt them tonight.