Northen Star: UMD Women’s Hockey

The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 21-14-2 record and earned their fifth-straight NCAA tournament appearance.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey program continues to compete at a high level in the WCHA and the NCAA.

All under a new head coach at the helm in Laura Schuler.

But this isn’t the first time Schuler has been apart of the UMD coaching staff. As she was an assistant coach from 2008 to 2015 and helped the Bulldogs win the national title in 2010. During that time Schuler grew as a coach.

“I learned a ton. I have been in this for quite a long time. This program has always had a tremendous history of excellence. It has had great people in terms of student athletes, coaches. Lots of people to be able to learn and grow from,” said Schuler.

In Schuler’s first year at the helm, she shares her hockey wisdom with her players.

“It’s been amazing, she is so smart, hockey wise and she loves the game so much and I feel like that really rubs off on every single person who is around her. She shares so much wisdom with us,” said Clara Van Wieren.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season with an 21-14-2 recorded and earned their fifth-straight NCAA tournament appearance.

But the key to this season for UMD is always looking for opportunities to improve and their depth within the team.

“We are a team that continues to learn each and every day. Every single time we step on the ice we get better, and that has been our goal all year long,” said Schuler.

“I think it’s been huge to have depth all throughout our line up and that has been a big advantage for us throughout the year.” Hanna Baskin.

“Coming in as a freshman and kind of handle that pressure, but they’re all doing a really great job and even some of our sophomores too,” said Nina Jobst-Smith.

Despite seeing results on the ice for UMD Hockey, there is another aspect that brings players to the heart of Duluth.

“The rich program history and everyone knows who the Dogs are. Everyone wants to play for the Dogs. We’re in Bulldog country, we’re in hockey country, where everyone loves hockey so much. The community is amazing, our fans are amazing,” said Van Wieren.

“Every single day I get to come to the rink and to be able to surround myself by these kind of people has just been a dream come true,” said Schuler.

UMD will face Sacred Heart in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday at 6 PM.