CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston is set for a WCCHA road tilt Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22 against the University of Minnesota Duluth ACHA side. The Golden Eagles will face the Bulldogs Saturday at 8:15 p.m., at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. Sunday's game will commence at 1:15 p.m. at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center.

The Golden Eagles are ranked 19^th in the nation, and fifth in the ACHA Division II Central Region. Minnesota Crookston is currently second in the WCCHA Northwest Division. UMN Crookston enters the weekend with a 16-3 (10-2 WCCHA) mark, the best for the program since being revived as an ACHA Division II program prior to the 2020-21 season. Minnesota Duluth is fourth in the WCCHA Southeast Division. They have a 12-5 mark entering the weekend.

Minnesota Crookston is propelled by the play of Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.), who leads the Golden Eagles with 23 goals and 21 assists. Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) has been a key cog this season, with 14 goals and 18 helpers. Zach Larson (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) has also been instrumental with 15 goals and 15 assists. Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) comes into Saturday with 14 goals and 12 assists. Dylan Borseth (Sr., F, Williston, N.D.) has six goals and 17 helpers. Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba) is the top scoring defensemen currently on the roster with five goals and 12 assists.

In goal, UMN Crookston has four netminders who have cleaned up in between the pipes this season. Jared Aamold (So., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) has a 2.27 goals against average, and a .918 saves percentage in 10 games. Jake Sumner (Jr., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) comes in with a 2.41 goals against average, and a .905 saves percentage in seven contests. Braden Schmitz (So. G, Devils Lake, N.D.) has a 2.74 goals against average, and an .894 saves percentage in six tilts. Wyatt Olsonawski (Fr., G, Hallock, Minn.) joined the team at semester after playing juniors in the NA3HL for the Willmar Warhawks in the fall. Olsonawski made his debut Saturday. He has a 0.00 goals against average in one game.

Minnesota Crookston is coming off a narrow 1-0 defeat by University of Mary, the nation's top team. The Golden Eagles went toe-to-toe in the defensive battle, but showed they belong among the top teams in the nation.

Minnesota Duluth is guided offensively by Frank Savard with 12 goals and six assists. Alex Illies comes in with six goals and nine helpers for the Bulldogs. Tommy Kroll has four goals and 11 assists for UMD, while Chase Holcomb has seven goals and seven assists.

In net, Wyatt Pilkerton leads the way with a 2.33 goals against average in five games. Luke Grote comes in with a 2.81 goals against average in six tilts, while Broden Bunnell has a 3.31 goals against average in seven games.