Western New England University

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (October 20, 2026) – The Western New England field hockey team surrendered three goals in the opening quarter and could not recover as the hosting Cardinals of Wesleyan University took down the Golden Bears behind 23 shots and 15 shots on goal, beating WNE by a final score of 8-1. 

Records:

• Western New England: 9-6
• Wesleyan University: 8-5

How it Happened:

• It took Wesleyan just 1:50 to strike in the opening quarter, scoring a goal off a penalty corner when Brooke Miner found the back of the net for the fourth time on the year to give Wesleyan the quick 1-0 lead. The Cardinals came away with their second goal of the game less than three minutes later when Emily Smith netted her fourth goal this season to extend the Wesleyan lead. 
• Western New England had no answers on offense on Tuesday as the Cardinals extended the lead to three at the 7:42 mark of the quarter when Leila Feldman scored for the eighth time this season, giving Wesleyan a 3-0 lead. 
• The Golden Bears held the Cardinals off the scoreboard for the rest of the frame, while Alex Tardugno made two saves in the opening frame. 

Second Quarter:

• The Cardinals produced more offense in the second quarter, finding the back of the net just 1:16 into the frame when Sarah Porter scored for Wesleyan, notching her first goal of the season, extending the lead to 4-0. Wesleyan kept peppering the Golden Bears, as Bridget FitzGerald picked up her fourth goal of the season to give the Cardinals a 5-0 lead. 
• The WNE defense continues to be tested but held strong in the final ten minutes of the quarter, not allowing Wesleyan to strike again. Tardugno made two more saves in the quarter, as WNE trailed by five heading into the second half. 

Third Quarter:

• Wesleyan's strong offensive attack was apparent, as the Cardinals came out with back-to-back goals in the third quarter as Natalie Shaw and Emily Smith found the back of the net to give Wesleyan a 7-0 lead early in the frame. 
• The Golden Bears earned their first penalty corner of the game 6:29 into the quarter and took advantage of the chance. Kamryn Miller took a pair of shots; her first was blocked, but then a follow-up after a pass from Analise Trani found the back of the net as Miller netted her first career goal to put the Golden Bears on the scoreboard. 
• The Golden Bears held off the Cardinals in the final ten minutes of the quarter despite being outshot 5-3 in the quarter, as Wesleyan had the game well in hand, 7-1. 

Fourth Quarter:

• Kayla Surprenant had an early chance for WNE, picking up a shot on goal just 1:46 into the quarter, but it was saved by Wesleyan's Anna Rusconi. The Golden Bears could not pick up a shot on an ensuing penalty corner. 
• Alex Tardugno continued to be tested in the final quarter, making a pair of saves over a minute span. 
• The Golden Bears had late chances in the contest to come away with another goal, with Tania Evans taking a shot that sailed wide of the cage, but it would not be enough as WNE fell by a final score of 8-1 following a late tally from Wesleyan. 

Inside the Lines:

• Kamryn Miller had the lone goal for WNE on the night, her first career collegiate goal.
• Analise Trani added an assist on the night for the Golden Bears, her sixth assist this season. 
• Alex Tardugno made seven saves between the pipes for the Golden Bears. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England returns to action this coming Thursday, October 22, at 7:00 PM, heading to Westfield State University for non-conference action.