SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 5, 2026) – Four Western New England fall student-athletes have received honors this week as Golden Bear Athletes of the Week following outstanding performances on their respective playing surfaces. WNE women's tennis, men's soccer, women's cross country, and men's golf all had a student-athlete honored. 

WNE women's tennis saw Emma Miller go a perfect 2-0 in singles action this week, earning her first nod of the season as Golden Bear Athlete of the Week. Miller opened the week with a victory in the top singles position over the Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph, knocking down USJ's Jillian Milo by a score of 6-1, 6-2. Miller earned the only victory for the Golden Bears in the top singles position this past weekend over the University of New England, winning another match in straight sets, this time defeating UNE's Madeline Frank by a score of 6-3, 7-6 (10-8). Miller improves to 3-3 on the season in the top singles position for the Golden Bears. WNE women's tennis will celebrate Senior Day this coming Wednesday, October 7, at 3:30 PM before taking on the Colonels of Curry College. 

Ryan Sunshine played a key role in Conference of New England (CNE) action this past weekend in a 4-0 win over the University of New England, helping WNE men's soccer earn a big victory. Sunshine played 74 minutes of the 90-minute game this weekend, scoring his first career collegiate goal in his 52^nd career game with the team. Sunshine also contributed to the defensive effort that saw the WNE defense allow just five total shots to the Nor'easters this past Saturday, and just one shot on goal in the victory. Sunshine and the Golden Bears played a pair of CNE games on the road this week, making stops at Endicott College (October 7, 7:00 PM) and Suffolk University (October 10, 3:00 PM). 

Olivia Kay guided the Western New England women's cross country team to a 21^st place finish over the weekend at the Keene State Invitational. There, Kay ran a 24:20.3, good enough for 82^nd place overall in the race, tops among Golden Bears. Kay's time was a season best for Western New England, beating out her previous best time by 23 seconds. Kay and the Golden Bears will race this weekend at the James Earley Invitational on Saturday, October 10, beginning with the women's race at 10:30 AM.

Kyle DeGroff finished the Conference of New England Championships in third place out of 45 golfers this weekend, earning a bronze medal placement overall. DeGroff shot a 73 on day one of the event, just one stroke over par. After starting the round with a double bogey on hole one, DeGroff bounced back to produce four birdies in the round and was tied for sixth place following the first 18 holes. Sunday's second round of the championships saw the WNE junior shoot an even 72 overall, which jumped him up three places to finish third overall. DeGroff did not bogey a hole until the 14^thand put down four birdies over the 18-hole round to finish in third place overall. The Golden Bears tied for third place as a team at the event. DeGroff and the Golden Bears will continue the fall season this coming weekend at the Skidmore Invitational at Saratoga Spa State Park beginning at 8:00 AM for 36 holes of play on day one.