Western New England University

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 10, 2026) – Led by their top goal scorer Mikayla Mrzywka, the Western New England field hockey team picked up a 6-0 Conference of New England win over the Hawks of the University of Hartford on Saturday afternoon from Golden Bear Stadium. 

Records:

• Western New England: 8-4, 4-1 CNE
• University of Hartford: 3-8, 0-4 CNE

How it Happened:

First Quarter:

• Hartford came out firing and had the best opportunities in the opening minute and a half of the first quarter. Hartford's Eva Nasse took a shot that went wide of Alex Tardugno's cage, while Olivia Thatcher picked up a shot off a Hartford penalty corner that was clocked. 
• Western New England's first offensive chance of the game found the back of the net when Tessa Ebreo inserted a penalty corner and was found on the back post following to score her second of the season on an assist from Analise Trani, giving WNE a 1-0 lead. 
• Western New England had the 3-2 shots advantage in the opening quarter and took the 1-0 lead after 15 minutes of play. 

Second Quarter:

• The Golden Bears controlled the second quarter of play, picking up 11 shots to no shots by the Hawks. 
• Western New England found the back of the net once in the second quarter when Mikayla Mrzywka found Maddie Ripley in the middle of the crease, who tapped home a shot to extend the Golden Bear lead to 2-0. 
• The Golden Bears took five penalty corners in the second quarter overall, while Hartford's Leah Miller made nine saves between the pipes to keep the Hawks in the game. 

Third Quarter:

• The Golden Bears took three penalty corners in the opening 1:14 of the third quarter but could not extend the lead. Hartford had its first shot on goal six minutes into the third quarter when Ava Lipson tested Alex Tardugno, who made the save.
• The Golden Bears extended their goal streak with four minutes remaining in the quarter, as Mikayla Mrzywka picked up her 12^th goal of the season, giving WNE a 3-0 lead. 
• Hartford had a chance late in the game, but a defensive save from Kamryn Miller kept the Hawks off the scoreboard, seeing WNE take the 3-0 lead heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

• It took Western New England just 2:04 into the fourth quarter to score its fourth goal of the game, as Mrzywka picked up the tally, her second of the game and 13^th on the season to give the Golden Bears a 4-0 lead.
• The Golden Bears continued their offense late in the fourth quarter when Mrzywka completed the hat trick, scoring her third goal of the game and 14^th goal of the season, giving the Blue and Gold a 5-0 lead. 
• Just over a minute late, the Golden Bears added their sixth and final tally of the game when Jenna Nigro picked up her third of the season on an assist from Olivia Lugo, giving the Golden Bears a 6-0 lead. Three of WNE's four shots in the quarter found the back of the net, as the Golden Bears picked up a six-goal victory. 

Inside the Lines:

• Mikayla Mrzywka came away with three goals and an assist for the Golden Bears to lead the scoring. Mrzywka's seven-points were a single game career-high. 
• Maddie Ripley, Jenna Nigro, and Tessa Ebreo all found the back of the net for the Golden Bears. Olivia Lugo and Mrzywka had assists in the win. 
• Alex Tardugno had two saves for the Golden Bears in the victory. 
• WNE outshot Hartford 28-9 in the game, and 22-3 in shots on goal. 
• Hartford did have nine penalty corners in the game, while WNE picked up 11. 

Up Next:

• Western New England returns to action on Wednesday, October 14, traveling to face the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 6:00 PM.