Just one day away from UMD women’s hockey’s season opener, they’re starting right where they left off, against reigning national champions Ohio State.

OSU ended UMD’s 2023-2024 run in the NCAA regional finals, but the Bulldogs are looking forward for Saturday’s matchup.

“You have months and months to process kind of what went on there and understand that that’s never going to happen again,” said Nina Jobst-Smith, a fifth year defender. “There was a lot of reflection, I think, that went on for myself personally and just our entire group. But at this point in time, it’s been six months. I don’t think there’s anything else left to look back on, and we’re just all guns of blazing. We’re ready to go this weekend, and we’re all just super excited.”

UMD has lost the last seven matchups against the Buckeyes, but hope to start the new season off right with a win.

The puck drops Saturday in Columbus at 2 p.m. The series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m.