The Bulldogs finally landed a knockout punch Saturday that the No. 7/8 University of North Dakota couldn't recover from.

With 10 of their 14 games against teams ranked in the top-10 in the nation, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team earned its first upset of the season -- after a number of close calls -- with a 1-0 triumph over the Fighting Hawks at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.  

"We played a complete 60 minutes," said head coach Maura Crowell after the win.  "18 blocked shots, great team speed up and down the ice and tremendous focus got us the win."

UMD -- currently in sole ownership of the NCAA's toughest strength of schedule by a wide margin according to the latest KRACH rating -- battled UND for two scoreless periods before sophomore forward Michelle Lowenhielm scored her first goal of the season at the the perfect time.  Lowenhielm's tally, assisted by junior Katherine McGovern, came at 9:46 of the third period and put the Bulldogs ahead of the Fighting Hawks for the third time in the series.  UMD and freshman goaltender Maddie Rooney stood tall, however, and despite being outshot 32-22 in the game, including 11-7 in the final period of play, the Bulldogs finally had something to show for their continual effort against the nation's top teams.

Rooney made 32 saves in her second collegiate shutout, while UMD held the UND scoreless in three power play attempts.

The Bulldogs come back to AMSOIL Arena next weekend, but the home cooking won't get any easier.  UMD will face its sixth top-10 opponent and fourth-straight series against a ranked squad next weekend when Harvard University comes to Duluth.  The No. 9 Crimson will hit the ice against the Bulldogs Friday at 4:07 p.m. before the two teams will wrap up the series with UMD's 'Cram the AM' at 1:07 p.m. Saturday.  Any Bulldog fan that brings a non perisable food item to AMSOIL Saturday will get a free ticket to the game.  All food items collected at the game will be delivered to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank by the UMD hockey team.

BULLDOG NOTES: Saturday's win against North Dakota was the first ranked team UMD has defeated since the Bulldogs knocked off then No. 9/10 Bemidji State University last season 2-0 on Nov. 28, 2014 ... The weekend marks the first series that the Bulldogs and Fighting Hawks have not needed overtime in at least one game for the first time since the 2012-13 season ... UMD, now 5-9-0 overall and 3-7-0 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, owns an all-time record against North Dakota of 37-13-15.