Springfield, Mass. (August 29, 2025) – The Golden Bears and Lyons opened their season on Friday inside Golden Bear Stadium. They picked up the early lead in the first quarter thanks to Kayla Antonelli scoring off an assist from Kara Edwards. The Golden Bears would add a second with no time left in the first half when Haley Kazca converted from a penalty stroke. The third and fourth quarters saw no goals. The Golden Bears secured the opening-day win 2-0 at home.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-0 (0-0)
• Wheaton College: 0-1 (0-0)

How it Happened:

• Grace Ferguson and Alex Tardugno started the game in goal for the Lyons and Golden Bears, respectively.
• The Golden Bears started the game with a few shots, but it was a save by Tardugno on a breakaway that stole the show early.
• With 2:21 left in the first quarter, Kayla Antonelli would give the Golden Bears the lead with a goal assisted by Kara Edwards. WNE led 1-0.
• The second quarter saw the Golden Bears control possession for much of the time. Ferguson had to make three saves versus the Golden Bears.
• The Golden Bears would double their lead with no time left on the clock when Haley Kazca was awarded a penalty stroke. Kazca sent a shot into the top-right part of the goal, and WNE led 2-0 at halftime.
• The first half stats favored the Golden Bears. They led in shots 11-2, penalty corners 2-0, and shots on goal 6-1. Wheaton led in saves 4-1 and shots faced 11-2.
• The Lyons controlled most of the opportunities in the third quarter. They had six penalty corners, but the Golden Bears' defense held strong, keeping the score 2-0 after three quarters of play.
• The fourth quarter saw the Lyons get a few more shots on goal and penalty corners. However, the Golden Bears continued to keep the Lyons from scoring, and WNE secured its first win of the season, 2-0.

Coach's Corner:

After the contest, Assistant coach Emma Karamian and the two goal-scorers, Kayla Antonelli and Haley Kazca, were interviewed. Antonelli was asked about the excitement around scoring the first goal of the season and to take us through that first goal. "I was very excited. We were super, super connected moving up the field, and we just got a great opportunity to score at the top of the circle, and we did not let that go," Antonelli mentioned. Kazca was then asked about the penalty stroke and what was going through Kazca's mind to set up that second goal. "First off, we were just so relentless in the attacking circle. We gave it all we had, and it was the whole team that earned it (the penalty stroke). All I knew was that it was the same old find the side and just do it for the team," Kazca replied. Finally, coach Karamian was asked what was thought about the overall team performance. Karamian answered with, "I thought it looked very good. I think we did a great job working in as a unit both offensively and defensively, and working together. I am just really happy that this was how we performed for game one, and I am excited for the rest of the season, especially after how this performance went."

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears defeated the Lyons 2-0 in their season opener.
• Kayla Antonelli scored the first Golden Bear goal of the season. Kara Edwards assisted on the goal in the first quarter. WNE led 1-0.
• Haley Kazca scored on a penalty stroke goal at the very end of the first half. WNE led 2-0.
• WNE ended the game leading in shots 12-9 and shots on goal 6-3.
• Wheaton had more penalty corners, 9-2, and saves, 4-3.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will stay at Golden Bear Stadium as they welcome Westfield State University to Springfield on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM.