SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 5, 2026) - Despite taking ten shots on target, the Western New England field hockey team came up scoreless in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon from Golden Bear Stadium, as the visiting 24th-ranked Engineers of Worcester Polytechnic Institute potted two third-quarter goals, en route to a 2-0 victory over WNE.
Records:
- Western New England: 1-1
- No. 24 WPI: 1-1
How it Happened:
First Quarter
- Western New England came out aggressively, recording four shots in the opening 15 minutes. Mikayla Mrzywka put the first two attempts toward the cage, with her opening shot saved by WPI goalkeeper Myles Lakin.
- Abigail Petrini and Gianna Testi also forced saves from Lakin late in the quarter as the Golden Bears generated a pair of quality opportunities.
- WPI earned its lone penalty corner of the opening quarter with 1:34 remaining, but the Golden Bear defense blocked Ella Reeners' attempt and Emma Barton's ensuing shot went high.
- The teams remained scoreless after 15 minutes, with WNE holding a 4-2 edge in shots.
Second Quarter
- WNE continued to pressure the WPI defense, earning its first penalty corner of the afternoon at the 1:31 mark of the frame. Jenna Nigro and Olivia Lugo each had shots saved by Lakin on the ensuing opportunity.
- WPI responded with sustained pressure of its own, earning three penalty corners during the quarter and forcing several defensive stops from the Golden Bears.
- The Golden Bears nearly broke through late in the half when Mrzywka put another shot on goal with 1:29 remaining, but Lakin made the save, staying consistent between the pipes for the road team.
- Neither team found the back of the cage in the opening 30 minutes, with WNE and WPI entering halftime tied, 0-0. WNE had the 8-7 shots advantage overall. Alex Tardugno was forced to make no saves in the opening 30 minutes, as all seven WPI shots came off target.
Third Quarter
- WPI broke the scoreless deadlock just 2:27 into the second half. Following a penalty corner, Ella Reeners set up Madeline Chase, who scored to give the Engineers a 1-0 lead.
- Alex Tardugno kept the Golden Bears within one, making saves on attempts from Ava Cortis and Tatiana Nwosu during the quarter.
- WPI doubled its advantage, scoring at the 4:15 point of the quarter, when Tatiana Nwosu assisted Emma Barton giving WPI a 2-0 advantage.
- The Engineers continued to pressure the Golden Bear defense, earning three penalty corners in the quarter, while WNE managed one shot in the period, in a quarter dominated by the road team.
Fourth Quarter
- WNE looked to cut into the deficit early in the final quarter, with Testi forcing a save from Lakin less than 30 seconds into the period for an early WNE scoring chance.
- The Golden Bears continued to create opportunities, with Testi and Olivia Lugo each recording shots on goal in the final 10 minutes, but Lakin turned both attempts aside.
- Tardugno kept WNE within striking distance, making saves on shots from Chloe Luongo and Barton during the closing minutes.
- The Golden Bears were unable to find the equalizer as WPI held on for the 2-0 victory. WPI finished with the 16-13 advantage in shots overall in the game.
Inside the Lines:
- WPI's Madeline Chase and Emma Barton both found the back of the net for the first time on the season. Ela Reeners and Tatiana Nwosu came up with assists.
- WPI's Myles Lankin made all ten saves in the win. Alex Tardugno made four of a possible six.
- Western New England generated just one penalty corner in the game, coming in the second quarter. WPI had nine total overall.
- Gianna Testi threw three shots on goal for WNE, while Mikayla Mrzywka and Abigail Petrini recorded a pair each.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England will play in its first road game of the season on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 PM at Vermont State Castleton.
