PROVIDENCE, R.I. (October 3, 2026) – The Western New England field hockey team fell behind by a goal early in the first quarter, but sophomore
Mikayla Mrzywka came up with two goals on Saturday afternoon to propel the Golden Bears past the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University by a final score of 2-1 to give WNE an important Conference of New England (CNE) victory.
Records:
- Western New England: 7-3, 3-1 CNE
- Johnson & Wales University: 6-3, 1-3 CNE
How it Happened:
First Quarter:
- Johnson & Wales generated the majority of the early chances, recording seven shots and six penalty corners in the opening 15 minutes.
- Alex Tardugno kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard, making four saves to begin the game.
- Western New England recorded one shot in the opening frame, coming from Kamry Miller, but wide of the cage. The Golden Bears could not put a shot on goal on JWU's Sophia Brea in the first quarter, though remained tied, 0-0.
Second Quarter:
- Johnson & Wales broke through early in the first quarter when Izzy Paes scored off an assist from Emily Downing to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Paes picked up her fourth goal of the season, leading the Wildcats to the opening goal of the game.
- The Golden Bears put on the pressure following another spurt from the Wildcats that the WNE was able to fend off and answered late in the half. After building pressure with several penalty corners, WNE's leading goal scorer, Mikayla Mrzywka, found the back of the cage with just 49 seconds remaining in the half, finishing a pass from Analise Trani to even the score at 1-1. Mrzywka picks up her team-leading tenth goal of the season.
- Western New England outshot Johnson & Wales 8-4 in the quarter and earned six penalty corners, using its late push to carry momentum into halftime.
Third Quarter:
- Neither team could gain much momentum in the third quarter, as Jenna Nigro's shot with 2:23 remaining in the quarter was the first action that took place.
- Shortly following the shot on goal, WNE was on the scoreboard again when Mrzywka found the back of the net again, this time putting the Golden Bears ahead 2-1, scoring her 11th goal of the season.
- Tardugno and the Golden Bears' defense kept Johnson & Wales without a shot in the third quarter, preserving the one-goal advantage heading into the final period.
Fourth Quarter:
- Johnson & Wales pushed for an equalizer, earning five penalty corners and taking seven shots in the final quarter.
- Alex Tardugno made multiple saves in the final quarter, including one off a penalty corner when the WNE junior denied JWU's Emily Downing, keeping the Golden Bears ahead, 2-1.
- JWU made a late push in the final two minutes of the quarter, but Western New England survived, blocking a pair of shots to preserve a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats to improve to 3-1 in CNE play.
Inside the Lines:
- Mikayla Mrzywka scored both Western New England goals, bringing her season total to 11. Mrzywka finished with six shots, including four on goal.
- Analise Trani recorded an assist on Mrzywka's first goal, her contribution helping the Golden Bears respond after falling behind.
- Alex Tardugno made eight saves in goal for Western New England, including key saves down the stretch to help the Golden Bears come away with the win.
- The Golden Bears finished with 13 shots, nine on goal, and nine penalty corners.
- Johnson & Wales held an 18-13 advantage in shots and a 12-9 edge in penalty corners, but Western New England converted its opportunities to earn the road win.
- JWU's Sophia Brea made seven saves between the pipes, including five in the second quarter.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England returns to action on Wednesday, October 7, traveling to Amherst College for a 6:30 PM non-conference matchup at Hill Field.
