SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 2, 2025) – The Conference of New England (CNE) office has announced its first Weekly Award winners of the 2025 season. The WNE Field Hockey program sees its very own Haley Kaczka named Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week.

Kaczka earns a spot on the weekly award list due to Kaczka's phenomenal play versus Wheaton College on Friday, August 29, 2025. In the Golden Bears' opening day win versus the Lyons, Kaczka was a true leader on the field. Kaczka led the defense to a shutout victory versus the Lyons, which saw the opposition only have three shots on goal. The Granby, CT native helped start attacking opportunities from the defense as well. Kaczka showed that at the end of the second quarter, when Kaczka drew a penalty stroke chance. Kaczka picked a spot and sent the ball past the Lyons' goalie to gift the Golden Bears a second goal in the first half. Along with the goal, Kaczka had two shots on goal and three total shots to help the WNE attack. Kaczka's play-making ability and goal-scoring prowess added to Kaczka's great defensive display, which is why the Conference of New England named Kaczka the first 2025 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week.

Haley and the entire Golden Bear Field Hockey Program will be back on the field inside Golden Bear Stadium on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM, when they host Westfield State University in a western Massachusetts clash.