SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 21, 2026) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team fell on Saturday evening in its first Conference of New England game of the season, seeing the Hawks of Roger Williams University score seven goals in the opening half and run away with a 13-4 victory. 

Records:

• Western New England: 4-4, 0-1 CNE
• Roger Williams University: 2-5, 2-0 CNE

How it Happened:

First Quarter:

• Roger Williams won the opening draw control and took the first lead of the game just 1:12 in when Lauren Canata took a pass from Allie Shamberger and beat Emily Picolla, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Western New England had a response following a save from Picolla and a caused turnover from Gabby Sliwka, as Lina Eves fired home the opening goal of the evening for the Golden Bears to even the score at one. 
• Roger Williams began its attack following the goal from Eves, ripping off three goals before the quarter ended to take a 4-1 lead. Canata had all four Roger Williams goals in the opening quarter. 
• The Hawks took ten shots, putting eight on goal in the first quarter, while Picolla made four saves between the pipes. RWU won five of six draw controls to begin the game. 

Second Quarter:

• The Roger Williams defense stymied the WNE offense, causing four straight turnovers on offensive possessions for the Golden Bears, while the Hawks netted three more goals in the frame to take a 7-1 lead. 
• An early strike from Miranda Hayes gave RWU a 5-1 lead, while two late goals, both from Allie Shamberger, sent the Hawks to a six-goal lead at halftime. 
• Western New England had just two shots in the second quarter, none on goal. 

Third Quarter:

• RWU added to its lead before Western New England got on the scoreboard, seeing Miranda Hayes open the quarter with a goal just 42 seconds in. Western New England had its first goal at the 12:11 mark since the opening minutes of the opening quarter when Ella Henry took a pass from Allison Cyr to find her 17^th goal of the season. 
• Roger Williams had the answer again, scoring back-to-back goals, with Hayes netting both, to take a 10-2 lead of the Golden Bears. Sydney Miles scored her 10^th goal of the season shortly after Hawks tenth of the game on an assist from Lyndsey Bunnell, pulling WNE back within seven, trailing 10-3. 
• RWU netted one more goal in the final 45 seconds of the quarter, as Hayes netted all four Hawks' goals in the frame, giving Roger Williams an 11-3 lead after the third frame. RWU had eight shots to WNE's seven in the quarter. Both goalkeepers made a save each. 

Fourth Quarter:

• Western New England had the opening goal of the fourth quarter, seeing Ella Henry notch her second of the game, this time coming a player up, bringing the score to 11-4. With chances to continue to cut into the Hawks' lead, the Golden Bears were denied by RWU's goalkeeper, Aizza Chase, who made a save, while the WNE offense committed four straight turnovers on offensive possessions. 
• The Hawks ran away with control of the game in the final five minutes, finishing off the contest with a pair of goals, seeing Molly Schmitz and Jamie Anthony pick up goals for the Hawks, giving the Hawks a 13-4 victory over the Golden Bears. 

Inside the Lines:

• Ella Henry (2G) and Lyndsey Bunnell (2A) were the lone Golden Bears with more than one point in the game. 
• In goal, Emily Picolla made ten saves. 
• Gabby Sliwka picked up four caused turnovers and three ground balls to lead the Golden Bears on defense. 
• The Hawks saw Allie Shamberger pick up two goals and five assists to lead the way, while Miranda Hayes (5G, 1A) and Lauren Canata (4G, 1A) helped the Hawks come up with the win. 
• RWU has taken the last 12 meetings all-time against Western New England. WNE's last win over Roger Williams came in 2015. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears continued CNE play with a road game at Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM.