BRISTOL, R.I. (October 25, 2025) – The Western New England field hockey team produced plenty of offense in the second half of Saturday's Conference of New England matchup at Roger Williams University, but the Hawks held on for a 2–1 victory in the final CNE regular-season game of the year.

Records:

• Western New England: 10–7, 4–2 CNE
• Roger Williams University: 12–5, 5–1 CNE

How It Happened

First Quarter:

• Neither team generated many chances in the opening frame, as Roger Williams was credited with the lone penalty corner and shot on goal. Alex Tardugno made the save to keep the game level. Western New England maintained some possession in the offensive zone but was unable to put a shot on target against RWU's Hannah Brazil.

Second Quarter:

• The Hawks opened the second quarter with an early look just 52 seconds in, as Lexi Yost's shot was blocked by the WNE defense to deny a dangerous chance. Roger Williams kept the ball in the offensive zone and earned a penalty corner that led to a shot from Elizabeth Duquette, which Tardugno again turned away.
• Tardugno remained sharp in goal as the Hawks controlled much of the possession through the midway point of the quarter, firing four shots, three on goal, but failing to break through.
• Roger Williams outshot Western New England 8–0 in the period, but the score remained deadlocked 0–0 at halftime.

Third Quarter:

• Western New England came out of the break with energy, earning a penalty corner and registering its first two shots of the game from Haley Kaczka and Mackenna Cooke, both sailing wide.
• Following the early WNE chances, the Hawks capitalized on their next opportunity as Maddy Monahan's shot, which appeared to be heading wide, tucked inside the post to give Roger Williams a 1–0 lead five minutes into the quarter.
• RWU recorded the only two shots on goal in the frame and carried its one-goal advantage into the final 15 minutes.

Fourth Quarter:

• Mikayla Mrzywka tallied the first shot on goal for WNE just 29 seconds into the quarter, but Brazil's first save of the afternoon kept the Hawks ahead. Roger Williams quickly transitioned up field, and Libby Corsetti connected with Eva Wood on the back post, where Wood tapped in the rebound to extend the lead to 2–0.
• The Golden Bears answered with sustained pressure, as Tessa Ebreo and Analise Trani both forced saves from Brazil. WNE appeared to have scored on a defensive save by McKenzie Foley, but the play resulted in a penalty stroke. Mrzywka converted the stroke for her team-leading 16th goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2–1 with 5:30 remaining.
• Roger Williams controlled play in the closing minutes, preventing any further WNE shots to secure the 2–1 victory in the conference finale.

Inside the Lines:

• Mikayla Mrzywka continued her impressive scoring streak, recording her 16th goal of the season.
• Alex Tardugno made nine saves in goal for the Golden Bears.
• WNE took seven shots, five on goal, all coming in the second half.
• The Hawks finished with 14 total shots, including 11 on goal. Eva Wood scored the eventual game-winner.
• Roger Williams earned its fifth straight win over Western New England and has scored exactly two goals in each of the last four meetings.

Up Next On the Schedule:

• Western New England will close out the regular season at home on Wednesday, October 29, at 7:00 PM, hosting Salve Regina University at Golden Bear Stadium. With today's conference results, the Golden Bears have secured the No. 4 seed in the CNE Tournament and will host a first-round matchup against Johnson & Wales University on Saturday, November 1 with a time yet to be determined.