Western New England University

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 1, 2026) – The Western New England field hockey team opened the 2026 season with a 2-1 victory over the Bears of Smith College on Tuesday evening at Golden Bear Stadium, getting first-half goals from Abigail Petrini and Mikayla Mrzywka before holding the Bears scoreless over the final 18 minutes to come away with the victory. 

Records:

• Western New England: 1-0
• Smith College: 0-1

• Western New England wasted little time establishing an offensive presence, earning a penalty corner just one minute into the contest. After shots from Analise Trani and Maddie Ripley were blocked and went wide, respectively, the Golden Bears broke through in the fifth minute.
• At the 4:29 mark, Petrini found the back of the cage for the first goal of the season, with Ripley providing the assist. The early goal gave WNE a 1-0 advantage, but Smith responded with pressure of its own. Alex Tardugno turned aside three shots during the opening quarter, including attempts from Megan O'Connor and Ellie Szostalo, to keep the Bears off the scoreboard.
• The Golden Bears added to their advantage early in the second quarter. Following another WNE penalty corner, Mrzywka scored at 16:54 to push the lead to 2-0. WNE carried the two-goal advantage into halftime despite Smith generating several opportunities, with Tardugno making three saves during the second quarter.
• Smith continued to apply pressure after the break, earning four penalty corners in the third quarter. Tardugno came up with two more saves during the frame, including stops on shots from O'Connor and Molly van Brunschot.
• The Bears finally broke through with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter when Ari Martinez scored on an assist from Isabel Johnson, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
• Smith carried its momentum into the fourth quarter, but the Golden Bear defense along with Tardugno in goal, kept the Bears from finding the equalizer. Tardugno made another save on Martinez with just over seven minutes remaining, while WNE created a pair of late penalty-corner opportunities of its own. Iseul Park stopped Tessa Ebreo's attempt with just over three minutes remaining.
• The Bears earned one final penalty corner with 1:57 left, but Anouk Bosket's ensuing shot was blocked as the Golden Bears closed out the season-opening victory.

• Petrini and Mrzywka each scored once to pace the WNE offense, while Ripley added an assist. Mrzywka recorded three shots, including two on goal, while Ripley finished with two shots.
• Tardugno provided a strong performance in goal, making eight saves on nine Smith shots on goal. 
• Smith held an 19-11 advantage in total shots and an 8-6 edge in penalty corners, but Tardugno and the Golden Bear defense limited Smith to one goal.
• Smith goalkeeper Iseul Park made three saves in the contest.

• The Golden Bears return to action on Saturday, September 5, when Western New England hosts Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Golden Bear Stadium. The contest is scheduled for 1:00 PM.