WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 8, 2025) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team was led by its power play on Saturday evening from the Olympia Ice Center, scoring both goals on the advantage, getting goals from Maddie Pope and Mikayla Mrzywka, which was enough to defeat the Nor'easters of the University of New England by a final score of 2-1.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-0, 2-0 CNE
• University of New England: 1-3, 0-2 CNE

How it Happened:

First Period:

• Michaela Birmingham had an early shot on goal for the Golden Bears that was taken in and saved by UNE's Kyleigh Matola, keeping WNE from scoring early on in the period. A back-and-forth opening period saw neither team get much of an advantage on one another, with both goalkeepers, Rachael Irving for WNE, making key stops. 
• The blue and gold earned a power play at the midway point of the frame and scored just 25 seconds in the period when Maddie Pope continued her dominance against the Nor'easters, picking up her third goal of the season, all coming in the last 24 hours, on assists from Ava Camelio and Jenna Lynch, giving Western New England the 1-0 lead. The Golden Bears kept on the attack but did not come up with another goal. 
• UNE pushed in the final two minutes, coming up with two shots on goal and four total shots.  Western New England held on and took a 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes of the game, which saw the blue and gold outshoot the Nor'easters 10-6. 

Second Period:

• The Golden Bears were rewarded with a power play in the opening 34 seconds of the frame and came up with a goal just 27 seconds remaining on the chance as Mikayla Mrzywka scored her first career collegiate goal on the ice, on assists from Jenna Lynch and Maddie Pope, giving the blue and gold a 2-0 lead. 
• Western New England had control of the offense until UNE picked up its first power play of the game at the six-minute mark of the frame and registered five shots on goal, all saved by Rachael Irving.  Another WNE power play came at the midway mark of the period, but the Golden Bears could not capitalize. 
• Both teams had a pair of advantages on the power play in the frame, but it was Western New England who had the only goal of the period, leading the University of New England 2-0 after two periods of play. UNE took ten shots in the period, all saved by Irving, while Kyleigh Matola made 13 saves on 14 WNE shots on goal.

Third Period:

• UNE pressed in the third period, looking for a pair of goals to tie the game, but not before the Golden Bears had the better of the chances in the opening four minutes of the period. Matola kept the Nor'easters alive in the game with a handful of key saves. UNE rewarded the play of their goalkeeper with a goal with still 12 minutes remaining in the game as a turnaround shot from Lainie Lemieux found twine, cutting WNE's lead in half.
• The Nor'easters then got a power play chance with 6:34 remaining in the period a power play UNE picked up two shots on goal, saved by Irving. UNE emptied its cage with 2:46 remaining in the game and controlled all the offense in the final minutes of the game, taking another two shots on goal but was unsuccessful in scoring. A key faceoff won by Mabel Gerard in the final ten seconds of the game iced the win for Western New England, who remain undefeated on the year, taking down the Nor'easters 2-1.

Inside the Lines:

• Mikayla Mrzywka's first career collegiate goal stood as the game-winner for the Golden Bears. 
• Maddie Pope scored her fourth goal of the season and added an assist on Saturday, while Jenna Lynch picked up a pair of assists in the win. 
• Rachael Irving made 27 saves in the win, giving up just one goal. 
• WNE had the shots advantage, 30-28. Both goals were scored on the power play. 

Coach's Corner:
Head coach Katie Zimmerman was asked a couple of questions post win. Zimmerman was first asked for a comment on how the team was able to see out their second win in as many days versus a tough Nor'Easter team. "It's always good to have a positive outcome, but we remain focused on the process and little habits along the way and there are definitely things we can improve upon. We're excited to keep learning as a group and looking forward to the next challenge," Zimmerman answered. Then, when asked how it felt seeing Mrzywka score on the ice for the first time this season, Zimmerman noted, "It's always great to share special moments together like 'first goals' and other milestones. We hope to experience many as a team this year!"
Mikayla Mrzywka was asked for a comment on how it felt to get her first career Golden Bear goal on the ice after so many in field hockey during the fall and what that goal meant to her. "Scoring a first goal is always such a great feeling, it was like a weight off of my back. I did score 20 goals in field hockey, it makes me want to score that many in hockey too. This goal is hopefully the first of many and I am excited for what the season has to bring for the team," Mrzywka said.
Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears host Endicott College on Friday, November 14, at Olympia Ice Center for a Conference of New England showdown at 8:10 PM.