SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 17, 2025) – The Field Hockey program was back in Golden Bear Stadium on Wednesday evening for a non-conference tilt with undefeated Keene State College. WNE would start quickly and score two goals in the first sixteen minutes, thanks to Mikayla Mrzywka. WNE would take a 3-1 lead into half thanks to a third goal from Tessa Ebreo. Gabbi Oakes added a goal in the third quarter to seal the 4-1 win versus the Owls.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-2 (1-0)
• Keene State College: 6-1 (0-0)

How it Happened:

• Alex Tardugno was in goal for WNE, with Clara Gorman on the other end of the field in goal for KSC.
• WNE was the team in control in the first quarter. They quickly earned a corner and a shot on goal by Haley Kaczka. Gorman saved that shot.
• In the 12th minute of the contest, WNE earned the lead thanks to Mackenna Cooke finding Mikayla Mrzywka in front of goal. Mrzywka sent the ball past the goalie to give WNE a 1-0 lead.
• That is how the first quarter would end. In the second quarter, WNE doubled their lead 57 seconds into the quarter.
• Mikayla Mrzywka was credited with the second goal after receiving a pass and running towards net, making a move, and sending the ball into the goal. WNE led 2-0 in the 16th minute.
• Keene State would start to get into the game after that goal. They had the next two corners and four shots. Tardugno had to make two saves and did to keep the score at 0-0.
• WNE answered by earning a penalty stroke, which was saved by Molly Diamondstein, who entered the game for the penalty stroke.
• The teams traded possession, which concluded with WNE scoring their third goal. This goal was scored by Tessa Ebreo, who received a tipped shot from Kara Edwards. Ebreo was in front of the goal and tapped the ball into the goal for the 3-0 lead in the 26th minute.
• Keene State responded with a goal from Grace Bazin, assisted by Alessandra Vidal, in the 27th minute. WNE's lead was cut to 3-1.
• Keene State would have a shot, and WNE had a corner after that, but no more goals were scored.
• The first half stats saw KSC leading in shots 8-7. WNE led in shots on goal, 7-5. Both teams had four corners and four saves.
• The second half saw fewer goals, but the same intensity.
• Keene State pressured WNE early in the second half. They had two quick corners, followed by three more corners and two shots on goal saved by Tardugno.
• WNE would fight back and have a shot saved by Gorman in the 41st minute, which led to a penalty corner, and the fourth WNE goal of the evening.
• Gabbie Oakes scored the fourth WNE goal, thanks to a shot from Analise Trani that Oakes deflected past the goalie. WNE led 4-1 in the 41st minute of the game.
• WNE kept the pressure on with four more shots and a penalty corner to conclude the third quarter. Gorman made two saves, and Grace Murphy had to make a defensive save to keep the Golden Bears at four goals.
• KSC started the fourth quarter with more intensity, taking three shots and earning three corners, but they were unable to cut back into WNE's lead.
• Molly Diamondstein entered the goal for KSC to start the fourth.
• WNE responded to the KSC pressure with their own intensity, earning the final three penalty corners and six shots. Diamondstein had to make one save, and Grace Murphy made two more defensive saves to keep the deficit at three goals.
• WNE would not let up another KSC chance and took the contest 4-1.

Inside the Lines:

• WNE defeated undefeated Keene State 4-1 on Wednesday.
• Mikayla Mrzywka scored in the 12th and 16th minutes to give WNE a 2-0 lead. Mackenna Cooke was credited with the assist on the opening goal. The second goal was unassisted.
• Tessa Ebreo tripled the WNE lead in the 25th minute. Kara Edwards assisted the goal. WNE led 3-0.
• Grace Bazin scored in the 27th minute to cut the WNE lead to 3-1 at halftime. Alessandra Vidal assisted the KSC goal.
• Gabbi Oakes scored the final goal of the game in the 41st minute via an Analise Trani assist. The score was 4-1, WNE.
• The final statistics showed WNE leading in shots, 20-13, and shots on goal, 15-8.
• Keene State had more saves, 11-7, and penalty corners, 12-9.

Coach's Corner:

Mikayla Mrzywka, who scored two goals in the 4-1 win, was interviewed after the contest. When asked about the mindset behind the goals, Mikayla mentioned that, "Honestly, (the mentality was) just shoot the ball, get the ball to the net, and whatever happens, happens." When asked to take us through the first goal, Mikayla stated, "I was in the circle, Mackenna hit (the ball) in. The ball was kind of just out there, so I just dove and hit it, and it somehow went in the net."

Alex Tardugno, the winning goalie, spoke with the Sports Information team after the win. Tardugno was asked about the pivotal saves when Keen State was gaining momentum and what the mindset was on those saves. "One of our main focus points was to have breakdown fouls, cut them off, and stop their flow. So it was really just that and focusing on playing as a team. We just came off a conference win, so it was important that we continue that high-level play and stay playing together," Tardugno answered.

Assistant coach Emma Karamian was also asked about what the mindset was from a coaching perspective, going against a tough opponent like Keene State. "Our mindset was definitely to play as a team. We wanted to have a full 60-minute game, playing our game, and I think we did just that. We really focused on attacking our circle, winning both our attacking and defensive circles, and staying connected as a team," Karamian remarked. Karamian was asked how this big win feels going into conference play with momentum on Saturday. "It feels great! I think we are now going into Saturday with a lot of confidence. I think Keene was a fast opponent and prepared us well for our next two games ahead," stated Karamian.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will stay at home to host Gordon College on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 4:30 PM inside Golden Bear Stadium.