UMD women’s hockey set to play Clarkson in NCAA Tournament

For the first time in over ten seasons the No.7 University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) women’s hockey team is off to the NCAA Tournament for three straight times.

On Sunday they had a selection show party at Amsoil Arena where we learned the Bulldogs will head to Minneapolis on Thursday to face No.9 Clarkson University in the first round

“It’s a special moment to be advancing to the NCAA tournament. Only 11 teams are playing right now, so I was happy with how excited our group was. It’s another hockey game, obviously it’s the biggest one of the year. Whatever one’s coming up is the biggest one of the year and like I mentioned, the experience in the room is what we’re going to lean on,” said head coach Maura Crowell.

“We know they are a strong team they’ve had a very good season, so it’s going to be fun to play a team we haven’t played in a long time,” said goaltender Emma Soderberg.

Clarkson was the last at-large team to get into the tournament, but still the Bulldogs wont look to far ahead and focus on playing one game at time.

With the ultimate goal to play in front of their fans and return home to Amsoil Arena, the host of the frozen four.

“Obviously we want to play in front of our home crowd and like to play for a national championship would be such an unreal experience,” added Soderberg.

“Especially as a senior playing your last game back at home would be unreal so that’s that’s the goal,” concluded defender Maggie Flaherty.

Sunday also marked the 14th time UMD has been invited to the NCAA tournament in program history.

In that span the Bulldogs are and outstanding 19-8 in the NCAA postseason, with a 7-4 record in first round and quarterfinal games.

This is also the first time they will play Clarkson since 2019, puck drop Thursday is at 6:00p.m.