SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 20, 2025) – Western New England field hockey goalkeeper Alex Tardugno and first year Mikayla Mrzywka have received honors from the Conference of New England as CNE Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week and CNE Field Hockey Rookie of the Week, respectively. 

Tardugno was lights out for the Golden Bears between the pipes, earning the blue and gold a pair of victories at home this week, coming over MIT and Johnson & Wales. In the 2-1 overtime victory over MIT, Tardugno faced 14 shots, making 13 total saves, allowing just one goal over 68 minutes played, leading the Golden Bears to the win, their second over MIT in program history, both overtime wins. Tardugno then came up with ten saves for the blue and gold in their weekend victory over JWU. The sophomore recorded her sixth shutout of the year and improved to 10-6 between the pipes. 

Mrzywka led the Western New England offense this week with three goals and two assists, aiding the Golden Bears in their two wins. In the 2-1 overtime win over MIT, Mrzywka tallied an assist on the opening goal of the game for the blue and gold before recording an outstanding game-winning goal in overtime to propel the Golden Bears past the Engineers. The goal was her fourth game-winner of the season. In the weekend conference win over the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales, Mrzywka registered a pair of goals and added an assist, claiming five points. Mrzywka's two goals this weekend were her 14^th and 15^th goals of the season, leading
the Golden Bears overall with 34 points. 

WNE field hockey returns home to cap off its three-game homestand this coming Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00, hosting Wesleyan University.