SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 15, 2025) – The Western New England field hockey team earned a 2-1 overtime victory on Wednesday night behind a fourth-quarter goal from Mackenna Cooke, while Mikayla Mrzywka notched her 13^th goal of the season, this one coming in overtime as the Golden Bears defeated Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the second time in program history. 

Records:

• Western New England: 9-6
• MIT: 8-5

How it Happened:

First Quarter:

• MIT opened the game with a quick chance on goal, getting to the front of the net just 19 seconds into the opening quarter, but Alex Tardugno made the save to keep the Engineers from opening the game with a quick goal. 
• Only two shots for each team came about in the opening quarter with Kameron Marando's chance six minutes into the game being blocked and a shot on goal from Analise Trani was saved by MIT's Maeve Zimmer, keeping WNE off the scoreboard. 

Second Quarter:

• Both teams generated chances in the second quarter, as MIT took four shots while the Golden Bears picked up two. Mikayla Mrzywka opened the quarter with a shot on goal just 1:24 into the frame, denied by Zimmer. A pair of shots in the quarter by Janie Thomas for MIT were saved by Tardugno, who kept the Golden Bears in the game in the quarter. 
• MIT's best chance came in the dying seconds of the frame as Bailey McIntyre got to goal, but her shot was denied, keeping the game scoreless at the end of the frame. 

Third Quarter:

• The Engineers took over much of the offense in the third quarter, earning their first penalty corners of the night in the frame, taking three overall. MIT's Thomas, McIntyre, and Nathasha Parker all put up shots on goal in the opening five minutes of the quarter, all three denied by Tardugno. 
• WNE took just one shot on goal in the quarter as Mrzywka got to goal but could not score at the game stayed scoreless heading into the fourth quarter. 

Fourth Quarter:

• The opening goal of the game came just 55 seconds into the fourth quarter as Mikayla Mrzywka's shot was saved by Maeve Zimmer, but a rebound chance from Mackenna Cooke would be put into the back of the net as Cooke found the back of the net for the third straight game, her third of the season, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. 
• MIT took control of the offense from there, pressing to tie the game. The Engineers orchestrated three penalty corners before they were able to find a goal with 3:21 remaining in the game as Meredith Wu picked up a goal on an assist from Bailey McIntyre, knotting the game at one. 
• MIT continued to pressure the Golden Bears defense with under a minute left to play in the frame as the Engineers put up three penalty corners in the final 45 seconds but had three straight shots blocked by the WNE defense, forcing an overtime session. 

Overtime:

• The Engineers opened the first four minutes of the overtime frame with much of the offensive possession. Three penalty corners from the Engineers resulted in two shots, one blocked and another saved by Alex Tardugno. MIT continued to press until the Golden Bears were able to gain some offensive pressure when Kameron Marando got a shot on goal, saved by Zimmer. 
• Following an attempt from MIT's McIntyre, the Golden Bears countered with an attack of their own as the blue and gold sent the ball to midfield with Tania Evans finding Mikayla Mrzywka, who drove the ball up the sideline and took it to the cage. The first-year stopped in front of the goal, eluded an MIT defender and fired a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net, giving Western New England a 2-1 win in overtime. 

Inside the Lines:

• Mrzywka's 13^th goal of the season was the overtime winner, her fourth game-winning goal of the season. Mrzywka finished the night with three points and four shots on goal. 
• Mackenna Cooke's third goal of the season opened the scoring in the game in the fourth quarter. 
• Alex Tardugno made a season-high 13 saves in the win, facing a season-high 14 shots in the game. Tardugno has 62 saves and a .756 save percentage this season. 
• WNE is now 2-0 against MIT at home, both wins coming in overtime. 

Coach's Corner:
Head coach Kyle Lyons was asked for a comment on the game. Lyons stated, "That was an important one for us. We talked before the game about being due for a big win, and the team really executed and earned that win as a team. They showed up like we asked them to and came out and had a great warm up, and competed hard right from the get go! I'm really proud of how they rebounded from our tough loss on Saturday. Came back together as a team and worked hard for this win. I'm super proud of the team!" Then, when asked for a comment on Mrzywka's goal and what was going through Lyons' mind after the goal, Lyons said, "I'm still not quite sure how Mikayla's goal went in at such a low angle and being defended well, but she finds a way! Her poise and composure is incredible and she's got such a knack for the back of the net. I'm excited to see that one back on film!"
Game-winning goal-scorer, Mikayla Mrzywka, was then asked for a comment on the goal and what was going through her mind during the goal. "My thoughts were I don't think I can get back after this run up the field so I thought give it my all and hope the ball better go in the net," Mrzywka stated. Then, Mrzywka was asked how it felt when she saw the ball hit the back of the goal. "I'd say the relief of knowing the game was over and everyone happy and cheering for the big win was the best feeling ever. Laying on the ground has never been more comfy."
Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears welcome Johnson & Wales University to Golden Bear Stadium for Conference of New England action on Saturday, October 18 at 2:00 PM.