SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 6, 2025) – The Conference of New England released its 2025 postseason awards on Friday afternoon, seeing Western New England field hockey first-year sensation Mikayla Mrzywka being named Rookie of the Year while five total Golden Bears received All-Conference honors this season. 

Mrzywka, a native of Penfield, New York, scored 20 goals for the Golden Bears on the year, which ranks second on the Western New England field hockey's single-season record books all-time. Mrzywka added five assists on the season, totaling 45 points overall for the year, also the second most in a single season. Mrzywka enters the single-season record books in points per game (2.14), goals per game (0.95), and game-winning goals (4). Mrzywka is the first Golden Bear to win the conference's field hockey Rookie of the Year since 2021 when Sarah Johnston was named. Mrzywka also collects All-Conference second team honors as a forward. 

Midfielder Analise Trani repeats on the All-Conference second team this season after doing so last season, as well. Trani anchored the Golden Bears at the midfield position all season long, playing in all 21 games, making every start. The Norwalk, Connecticut native found the back of the net once, coming in a Conference of New England victory over the University of Hartford, while adding five assists on the season, including a helper in the CNE Semifinals against Endicott. Trani's seven points on the season are a career high. Trani also helped the Golden Bears on the defensive end, coming up with a defensive save in a non-conference victory over Salve Regina University (10/29). Trani played all 1,299 minutes on the field this season for Western New England.

Senior Haley Kaczka appears on an All-Conference team for the fourth time in her four years as a Golden Bears, taking second-team honors in 2025 at the defense position. One of the best two-way players in Western New England field hockey history, Kaczka registered seven goals and six assists on the offensive side of the ball, picking up 20 points, ending her career with 85 points overall, which will sit eighth in the WNE Field Hockey career record books. Kaczka took 50 shots on the year, putting 29 on goal and scoring the eventual game-winning goal against Nichols College in conference play earlier this season. Like Trani, Kaczka played in every minute of all 21 games this season, making every start. Kaczka played in 74 of a possible 75 games during her career at WNE. Kaczka was the glue to the defensive core for the Golden Bears in 2025, holding opponents to just 33 goals over 21 games.

In goal, sophomore Alex Tardugno earns All-Conference awards on the second team for the first time in her career. Tardugno played in and made starts in all 21 games for Western New England on the season, making 129 saves, supporting a 1.48 Goals Against Average (GAA) for the season, and tallied a .801% save percentage for the year. Tardugno picked up six shutouts for the year, which will rank tied for sixth among WNE goalkeepers on the single-season record boards. Tardugno also enters the single-season record books in wins (12), which is fifth most in program history, as well as her 1.48 GAA, which sits fifth best. Tardugno made double-digit saves in five games this season. 

WNE first year Jenna Nigro lands on the All-Conference third team on defense after a successful campaign in blue and gold. Nigro contributed to the success of the WNE defense, locking down some of the best forwards in Division III over 21 games played, making 21 starts. Nigro helped the Golden Bears on offense, scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist for the year. Nigro's first collegiate point came in a CNE game against the University of Hartford, while the Chelmsford, Massachusetts, native picked up her two goals late in the season, one coming against Salve Regina University in the regular season finale and her second in the CNE Tournament's First Round game, a 5-1 win over Johnson & Wales University.  Nigro ended the season with 13 shots, putting six on goal.

Kayla Surprenant has been named to the Conference of New England Community Service Team, recognizing one student-athlete per conference institution who demonstrates a commitment to their community. Each winner was nominated by their program's head coach. Suprenant assists Operation Elf, which brings joy and magic to children in at-risk situations. Suprenant also volunteers in coaching a MassConn United in Agawam, Massachusetts, and provides clinics to up-and-coming high school field hockey players throughout Western Massachusetts. Suprenant also works closely on campus with student leadership groups, including the Student Athletes Advisory Committee, and is a peer advisor on campus. The Pharmacy Studies major from Enfield, Connecticut, played in 14 games for the Golden Bears during the season, scoring a pair of goals, both in CNE play, while adding an assist in a win over Gordon College. 

The Western New England field hockey team came away with a 12-9 record during the 2025 season, falling in the CNE Semifinal round for the fifth straight season after a 3-2 double overtime loss at Endicott College on Wednesday night.