For a series that called attention to the past coaching experiences of the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey staff, Friday night was all about the immediate future of the Bulldog program.

No. 10 UMD downed its second-straight nationally ranked opponent in as many games, handing No. 8 Harvard a 4-2 loss at AMSOIL Arena.  The Bulldogs, who are finally getting some return on what so far as been the nation's toughest strength of schedule, improve to 6-9-0 overall and with the win, have defeated back-to-back ranked squads for the first time since Jan. 25-26, 2013.

"Pretty special win, happy we are now playing with the confidence that I've been looking for all season," said Bulldog head coach Maura Crowell, who was Harvard's associate head coach last season prior to becoming UMD's bench boss.  ""Getting the win last weekend helped us feel pretty good about ourselves, and tonight we just beat a really good team, so I am psyched."

The Bulldogs got out to a blistering start when their points leader, junior winger Ashleigh Brykaliuk, banked the puck off of Harvard goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer right pad just 31 seconds into the game.  Brykaliuk's goal -- which was assisted by Michela Cava and Sidney Morin -- put UMD up 1-0 until the 14:44 mark of the first period.  After the Bulldogs killed off a 5-on-3 Crimson power play, Harvard shoveled in a 5-on-4 equalizer that left the game knotted at 1-1 into the first intermission.

The Crimson struck again on another 5-on-3 power play 8:36 into the second period on a goal by Miye D'Oench, but UMD pulled even 3:39 later when Cava buried a long-leading pass from Jessica Healey for her sixth goal of the season at 11:03.

Brykaliuk put the Bulldogs up once and for all at 7:11 of the third period, sniping an errant puck from the high slot to give UMD a 3-2 lead. Brykaliuk's game-winner -- her sixth tally of the season -- was followed up by a power play goal from Catherine Daoust at 14:14 that all but iced the Bulldogs second win in as many skates.

"We wanted to do this for them (the coaching staff), not just for ourselves and it was a huge win," said Brykaliuk.  "It feels good to get that win for them and it was a huge momentum boost for us, so hopefully we start rolling from here."

Freshman Maddie Rooney manned the pipes for the fourth win of her young career, making 28 saves against Harvard.  The Crimson (7-2-1) went 2-of-5 on their power play, while Maschmeyer made 33 saves against a UMD squad that out-shot Harvard 37-30 on the evening.

The two teams will return to AMSOIL tomorrow afternoon when the Bulldogs host 'Cram the Am" at 1:07 p.m.  Fans that bring a non perishable food item to the arena will be given a free ticket to the game, with a donations going to the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.

BULLDOG NOTES:  With the win, UMD is now 10-4-1 all-time against Harvard ... Ashleigh Brykaliuk has now posted two or more points in five games this season ... Michela Cava, who had a goal and an assist against the Crimson, has now had three games with two points ... Three players in all had two points Friday night -- Brykaliuk, Cava and junior defenseman Sidney Morin (two assists ... The last time UMD defeated nationally ranked opponents in back-to-back games was Jan. 25-26, 2013, when the Bulldogs swept then 9/10 Ohio State (ninth in the USCHO.com poll, tenth in the USA TODAY/USA Hockey Magazine poll).

SEE TONIGHT'S HIGHLIGHTS HERE.