Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) and Samantha Ferguson (Westmoreland, NY/Westmoreland) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of September 8th, 2025. This is the first-career Pioneer Athlete of the Week honor for both players, with each athlete playing in their debut seasons for the orange and blue. 

Szalkowski had one of the greatest weeks in all of Division III this past Saturday, dominating in his Pioneer debut to the tune of a program-record 528 passing yards along with 28 completions and four touchdowns in a 49-31 victory on the road against a highly-touted Washington and Jefferson team. The Division I transfer tore through the Presidents' secondary, launching a barrage of deep balls with extreme precision as he notched passes of 33, 77, and even 82 yards en route to logging nearly 19 yards per completion. The Rochester native shattered the previous program record passing yards mark of 467, generating an all-time great showing in his first-ever start at the Division III level. To top off his legendary outing, Szalkowski also avoided tossing an interception in the matchup, using his mistake-free play to help the team grab a statement victory in the season-opener. 

Szalkowski and the football team will have their first party at the 'Gaet this weekend when they welcome RPI for the annual Mastrovito Hyundai Believe Bowl at 6:00 PM on Saturday. 

Ferguson netted not only her first collegiate goal, but her first career hat trick last week in a 7-0 win over SUNY Canton. Against Canton, Ferguson also recorded a perfect shot on goal percentage after making five attempts in only 38 minutes on the field. On the week, Ferguson recorded seven shots with six on goal for a .857 shot on goal percentage through three games, with an average of 2.33 shots per game. 

Ferguson and the women's soccer team will return to Casamento Field tomorrow evening for a matchup with SUNY Potsdam. That game will begin at 6:00 PM.