SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 28, 2026) – After picking up their first win of the season earlier in the week, WNE hosted MIT in their annual early-season matchup. The contest got started quickly, with ten goals scored early, seven of which went in favor of MIT. The Golden Bears showed fight, getting back into the contest a few times, but MIT would prove to be too much for WNE, taking the contest 19-9.

Records:
Western New England: 1-2 (0-0)
MIT: 1-1 (0-0)

How it Happened:
First Quarter:

• The first quarter saw a lot of scoring to start the game. After MIT controlled the first possession, it was Josh Gagnon who got WNE on the scoreboard first, thanks to a TJ Dalicandro assist.
• However, MIT responded quickly with a Zach Bleil goal and then four other goals in a row. Bleil would score the fifth of the 5-0 run for the Engineers, with three other scorers contributing to that run to take a 5-1 lead.
• The teams would then trade two goals each before the end of the first quarter. Dalicandro had two man-up goals as WNE's man-up offense was firing on all cylinders early. Bleil completed the first quarter hat trick for the Engineers. MIT led 7-3 at the first break.
• First quarter stats leaned in favor of MIT, who had more shots (13-8), shots on goal (9-6), saves (3-2), faceoff wins (7-4), and clears (3-2). WNE had more turnovers (5-3) and ground balls picked up (9-8).

Second Quarter:

• Again, it was Josh Gagnon who got the scoring started for the teams in the second quarter as he scored another man-up goal for WNE, assisted by Jacob Roy, and WNE cut the lead to 7-4. Zach Bleil answered that goal as well to restore the four-goal MIT lead.
• The goal led to another 5-0 run for the Engineers to end the first half. Garrett Campagna, Riley Pierce, and CJ Sanchez added goals during that run, which gave MIT a 12-4 lead at halftime.
• The Golden Bears were not trailing because of a lack of shots, though. They had ten shots, with seven on goal. However, six were saved. They still had more ground balls picked up (10-9) and won more faceoffs (4-3). Both teams had five turnovers.

Third Quarter:

• The Golden Bears entered the second half with fury. They added two goals quickly to turn momentum in their favor slightly. Jacob Roy was the conductor of the energy change. He had both goals to cut the MIT lead to 12-6.
• Once again, MIT did not let the momentum switch for too long as they went on a four-goal run thanks to multiple man-up chances that allowed the Engineers to score and build up their largest lead of the afternoon, ten. Hayden Calabretta, CJ Sanchez, and Riley Pierce all had goals in the run.
• A run that Jacob Roy's third goal of the quarter ended. David Noel had the assist. However, the team still trailed 16-7 at the third break of the game. Only 50% of WNE's shots were on goal this quarter. Catuosco did a good job of winning the majority of the faceoffs for WNE, but MIT picked up more ground balls (9-8) and turned the ball over less (3-4).

Fourth Quarter:

• The final quarter of play saw MIT get off to the quick start this time. Denley Kofoed scored a first goal of the season. Calabretta added another after Kofoed to extend their lead to 18-7.
• Dylan Nardone would score a man-down goal for WNE, their first of the season. That would be a highlight of the second half for WNE. Max Rudgers would also pick up his third goal of the season. However, Bobby Jones scored another first goal for MIT, and the contest would end 19-9 in favor of MIT.
• The final stats showed MIT in control of the whole game. They had more shots (52-38), shots on goal (33-20), ground balls picked up (37-33), clears(17-13), faceoff wins (16-15), and caused turnovers (8-6). WNE had more saves, 14-11.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears fell to the Engineers 19-9.
• Riley Pierce led the way for the Engineers with six points, four goals, and two assists.
• Zach Bleil also had four goals for MIT, with CJ Sanchez collecting a hat trick for the Engineers.
• Collin Lung made nine saves for MIT, letting up only 4 goals.
• Jeffrey Wojtowicz made 12 saves for the Golden Bears.
• Jacob Roy led WNE on the offensive side with six points, three goals, and three assists.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will travel for the first time this season, as they will go on the road to Babson College on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM to start their Spring Break slate of games.