The Fall 2025 semester at Utica University featured an array of amazing achievements, accolades, and moments spread throughout. The fall was packed to the brim with amazing memories, featuring some great storylines, including numerous teams that were celebrating their 25th anniversary seasons. In the 107 days between the first athletics contests on August 30th and the final contests of the fall semester on December 15th, there were 141 games played, 50 weekly award winners, 45 Empire 8 All-Conference honorees, 32 Pioneer Athletes of the Week, and 50 records broken. The department also welcome four special Pioneers into the Pioneer Hall of Fame, celebrating the occasion with the entire Utica University community on homecoming weekend. With all of this action being packed into such a short period of time, Pioneer Athletics presents its Fall 2025 Semester Rewind, helping you relive all of the incredible teams, players, moments, and stories that occurred in the world of Utica University Athletics during the Fall 2025 semester! Check out our chronological recap, followed by our award winners and Hall of Fame inductees!
 
FALL 2025 CHRONOLOGICAL RECAP
 
AUGUST 29TH | WOMEN'S SOCCER WELCOMES LYCOMING, TWO TEAMS HIT THE ROAD TO OPEN 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
Women's soccer was the first team to open the 2025-26 season, returning to Casamento Field to welcome a tough squad from Lycoming College. After a very competitive and exciting contest to open the 2025 fall slate, the Pioneers conceded once at the end of each half, ultimately suffering a tough 2-1 loss against a very solid Warriors side. Despite the result, the game was closely contested, with the Pioneers taking the lead courtesy of Amber Piersma's opening score with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Lily Martin was able to break into open space that would bring the Lycoming goalkeeper out from between the pipes, where she would slide the ball across to Piersma, who would send it home for the first Pioneer goal of the season.
 
Elsewhere, the volleyball and men's soccer teams would also compete in their initial events of the new academic year. The volleyball squad headed to the Oneonta Invitational, falling to the hosting Red Dragons in a thrilling 3-2 decision before snatching a big 3-0 rebound win against Baruch. Men's soccer would suffer a tough 1-0 loss at King's in a game that would go on to be an anomaly, with the Pioneer offense picking things up in a major way following the opening defeat. With this trio of contests, the 2025-2026 academic season was officially ushered in.
 
AUGUST 30TH | MELITA WINS SUNY POLY INVITATIONAL IN RECORD FASHION
Men's cross country runner Bennett Melita entered the fall semester with high hopes after punching the program's first ticket to the National Championship race last season. Melita shattered expectations from the very first event, as when the Pioneers opened their season in the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational, he began his season by breaking a decade-old course record. His final finish time was clocked at 18:49.5 on the six-kilometer course, besting a record set by Mohawk Valley Community College runner Zakaria Djouma in 2015. The second-place runner, also a Pioneer, crossed the line 1:19.1 later.
 
SEPTEMBER 6TH | FOOTBALL ROCKS W&J IN SZALKOWSKI'S HISTORIC DEBUT
Utica football opened up its 25th anniversary season with a statement road win over a Washington & Jefferson team that was fresh off of a 9-2 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The Pioneers were able to topple the powerful Presidents thanks to an otherworldly Division III debut by Tyler Szalkowski, who piled up a school record 528 passing yards and four touchdowns to help the orange and blue win by a 49-31 final. Szalkowski was stunning on the afternoon, with each of his four passing scores finding a different receiver. He completed 28 of his 40 attempts, spreading the wealth with supreme efficiency as three different Utica receivers racked up over 125 yards each in the game. The senior signal caller made a massive statement, and foreshadowed the season to come as he took home Empire 8 Player of the Week honors, a spot on the Division III Team of the Week, and a D3football.com Game Ball thanks to his all-time performance.
 
 
SEPTEMBER 13TH | FOOTBALL DOMINATES RPI IN 7TH STRAIGHT BELIEVE BOWL WIN
Pioneer football followed up its week one thrashing of Washington & Jefferson with an equally explosive victory over another perennial playoff contender in RPI. In the Pioneers' annual Believe Bowl, the home squad took care of business, controlling the airways as they notched a 41-14 win over the Engineers in the biggest regular season home matchup on the calendar. The team's passing offense had its second straight impressive outing; however, the Pioneer secondary kept pace in this one, completely stalling the opposing passing game as the orange and blue outgained their opponents by over 200 passing yards. Eli Douglas led the immense defensive effort, grabbing seven tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception to keep RPI in check. This matchup marked the beginning of a season in which the Pioneers dominated aerial combat against nearly every opponent. Szalkowski had his second straight superstar showing, completing 27 of 29 passes for 385 yards and six touchdowns as the Pioneers moved to 2-0.
 
SEPTEMBER 15TH | MEN'S AND WOMEN'S GOLF PERFORM WELL AT POLY INVITE, PAREKH CAPTURES INDIVIDUAL TITLE, PAREKH AND DRAPER SWEEP CONFERENCE AWARDS
The men's and women's golf teams had a peak early in the season at the SUNY Poly Invitational. On the men's side, Aydin Parekh scored an individual top score. He would finish +3 overall, seeing three birdies in his round, including one on hole 18 to dodge a tie with the second-place finisher. For the women, Claire Draper made a shining debut, placing third overall with a +13 round that featured two birdies. The Pioneers placed second in team scoring in both the men's and women's events. Both Parekh and Draper were awarded conference honors for their performances, as each was named an Empire 8 Golfer of the Week, with Draper additionally earning a Northeast Women's Golf Conference Rookie of the Week award.
 

SEPTEMBER 23RD | FIELD HOCKEY DEFEATS MORRISVILLE 7-3 THANKS TO OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
Utica field hockey notched a signature win during its 25th anniversary season as the squad defeated Morrisville handily, thanks to an extreme offensive output. Alanna Fragapane's 6-point outing helped push the team to a 7-3 victory on the road against the Mustangs, as the senior captain netted two goals and procured two assists to power the orange and blue offense. Jocelyn Spiezio nearly matched her fellow forward's point production, grabbing five points of her own off of two goals and an assist. Spiezio set the pace in the contest, using her stellar speed to push the ball in transition and catch the Mustangs lacking on numerous occasions. Mia Benincasa, Lauren Durfey, and Sydney Baptie each netted a goal to round out the scoring, with Baptie's goal being her first career score.
 
SEPTEMBER 24TH | MEN'S SOCCER CAPTURES MASSIVE 4-2 WIN AGAINST REIGNING CHAMP ST. JOHN FISHER
Utica men's soccer earned a 4-2 road victory over reigning Empire 8 Champion St. John Fisher on Sept. 24th at Growney Stadium, improving to 4-2-1 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play. After the Cardinals opened the scoring in the 15th minute, Utica responded with four unanswered goals, beginning with Noah Nassberg's equalizer at 23:39, followed by a go-ahead tally from Jalen Lucero late in the first half. The Pioneers extended the lead early in the second period as Byamungu Mugushu and Mason Bucher found the back of the net just over two minutes apart, building a 4-1 cushion. Mugushu and Nassberg each finished with a goal and an assist as Utica posted 12 shots and put 10 on target. Zachary Accetta made five saves in goal, including a late penalty-kick stop, with St. John Fisher adding a goal in the 85th minute to account for the final margin.
 
OCTOBER 1ST | SOCCERs & VOLLEYBALL CAPTURE WINS AS PIONEERS SWEEP FALL BATTLE FOR UTICA
To begin October, Utica and SUNY Poly had three separate matchups on the same day in a "Battle for Utica." The Pioneers played host to the day's first game, a 7-0 women's soccer victory. The Wildcats hosted the remaining two games, a 3-2 Utica win in men's soccer, and a 3-0 victory for the orange and blue's volleyball team.
 
In the first contest of the day, women's soccer's offense exploded for a season-high seven goals in order to remain undefeated at the time in Empire 8 play. Five different Pioneers managed to find the back of the net, highlighted by a hat trick from Rylee Lamphhere, who would deliver the trio of blows in only a total of 48 minutes of playing time. Kayla Giovingo, Adrianna Calabria, Bailey Hewson, and Carly Cordts would all contribute to the final tally, each with a score of their own. A total of nine Pioneers would register at least one point on the afternoon, with a total of 14 managing to get at least one shot attempt.
 
Men's soccer took the field for the middle contest, playing one of the most exciting games of the season against the Pioneers' crosstown rival. After securing a 2-0 lead thanks to the efforts of freshman Carter Cookinham and graduate goal-scoring guru Byamungu Mugushu. Both players would each net a goal to give the Pioneers an early advantage. A late Poly push saw the Wildcats knot things up at 2-apiece, setting up a raucous finale up on the hill. Mugushu would eventually have the last laugh, planting a goal with just over five minutes remaining to give the Pioneers a 3-2 win. Cookinham and Mugushu accounted for all of the Pioneer points on the afternoon as the team improved to 5-2-2.
 
 
In the final contest of the day, volleyball would collect its first Empire 8 win of the season as the Pioneers put together a 3-0 sweep over the Wildcats of SUNY Poly. Trinity Bailey led the way for the Pioneers with a team-high 11 kills in the match, followed by Emilie Stanton, who recorded 10 kills with an impressive .533 hitting percentage on the evening. Alicia Ancewicz shone at the service line with four service aces, while on defense, Megan Wright managed a total of 26 digs. Utica would weather a back-and-forth battle early in the opening frame, before walking away with the set win by a score of 25-19. The middle set saw the Pioneers take an early lead before holding on late for a second-set score of 25-22. Utica would get out to a massive 19-9 lead in the final frame and be able to walk away with the sweep after a final set score of 25-18.
 
 
OCTOBER 8TH | WOMEN'S TENNIS SWEEPS GATORS FOR BIG CONFERENCE VICTORY
The women's tennis team sped by Russell Sage by a 7-0 final during the two teams' midweek contest towards the end of the regular season. The Pioneers swept the event, taking all three doubles matches, while each singles match also ended in the visitors' favor. Lyndsey Tiedemann and Kimora Lee-Simmons defeated the Gators' top doubles pairing by a 6-1 final, while the two Hannahs (Loebakka and Slater) grabbed their #3 doubles contest by a 6-2 final. Saige Burton and Camryn Donely rounded out the doubles domination, taking the #2 doubles match by a 6-3 final. The first four athletes (Tiedemann, Lee-Simmons, Loebakka, and Slater) all defeated their respective singles opponents, while Victoria Elefante and Andrea May also captured wins to complete a 6-0 run in the singles portion of the match.
   
OCTOBER 11TH | WOMEN'S SOCCER AND FIELD HOCKEY SHUTOUT ALFRED ON RESPECTIVE SENIOR DAYS
In women's soccer's senior day showdown, the Pioneers would fire on all cylinders to register four goals while shutting out the Saxons to remain unbeaten in conference play. Four Pioneers registered their names on the scoresheet in Sofia Fini, Amber Piersma, Rylee Lamphere, and Natalia Bell, the latter of whom would fire the fourth and final goal into the back of the net. Cora Kraft would also tack her name onto the scoresheet with an assist. Goalkeepers Hannah Pcola and Josephine O'Hare combined in the shutout effort, with each goalkeeper not having to make a save.
 
 
Field hockey's senior day would see them score seven goals for the second time this season, also cementing a shutout to record a dominant 7-0 win over the visiting Saxons. Mia Benincasa led the way with two goals and an assist, while her high school teammate Lauren Durfey also grabbed two goals. Alanna Fragapane and Jocelyn Spiezio each found net once, while lead defender Ryleigh Johnson logged her first career goal to round out the scoring. The Pioneers utilised all three goalies in net, creating a combined 60-minute shutout to celebrate the senior day stomping.
   
OCTOBER 15TH | MUGUSHU BECOMES PROGRAM'S CAREER POINTS LEADER WITH GAME WINNER AGAINST HARTWICK
Men's soccer player Byamungu Mugushu turned in the final chapter of his illustrious Utica career over the 2025 season. In a mid-October game against Hartwick College, Mugushu scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory to secure his 79th and 80th career points, breaking a program record that was previously set by Shane Ruffing, a player from the 2011-15 seasons. Goalkeeper Zachary Accetta was crucial in the one, as he made eight saves en route to his first solo shutout of the season.
 
OCTOBER 18TH | VOLLEYBALL COMPLETES AMAZING 2-0 COMEBACK AGAINST GENESEO IN FIGHT FOR CURE MATCH
Utica Volleyball welcomed the SUNY Geneseo Knights to campus to square off in the team's annual Fight for the Cure Match, played in honor of those who are battling breast cancer. The Pioneers managed to defeat the Knights in a reverse-sweeping fashion, collecting their second conference win of the season and pushing the Knights to 4-3 in conference play. Trinity Bailey continued her dominance for the Pioneers, registering a team-leading 16 kills while hitting .212 on the afternoon. Kendall Turner also turned in an impressive performance with 12 kills, a pair of service aces, and paced the back row with a team high 22 digs. Geneseo would take the first two sets by scores of 25-15 and 25-18 before the Pioneers would swing the momentum back into their favor. The third set would be a back-and-forth battle, with the Pioneers taking a thrilling third set by a score of 27-25. The fourth frame would see a late five-point run by the Pioneers to pull away late in the set, walking away with a 25-21 win. Utica would put together a five-point run early in the final set, and be able to hang on for a 15-12 final set score.
 
OCTOBER 25TH | VOLLEYBALL CONTINUES CONFERENCE WINNING STREAK AT NAZARETH
Volleyball continued to collect conference wins after defeating Nazareth University on the road by a score of 3-1. Kendall Turner paced the Pioneer attack with her second double-digit kill outing of the week, registering a team high 18 kills on the afternoon. At the net front, Jada Anthony, Arianna Williams, and Lauren Jones managed a total block fest, while Megan Wright dominated the back row with 22 digs. The opening frame was a back-and-forth sprint. After Nazareth jumped ahead 3–0, the Pioneers punched back to a 7–5 edge. Utica later stretched it to 18–15 and earned two set points at 24–22, but the Golden Flyers clawed into extras and swiped the opener 28–26. The second set turned into a deuce-time classic. Nazareth built a 7–3 cushion before Utica leveled things at 10–10. From there, the sides traded blows all the way to 28–28; Turner's sideout finish and a Nazareth attack error finally tipped it the Pioneers' way, 30–28. The third frame belonged to Utica's middle stretch. Tied 11–11, the Pioneers uncorked a 6–1 run to 17–12 and never looked back. A late sideout string carried Utica to the tape, 25–20. The final frame was the decisive knockout. After falling behind 0–2, Utica detonated a 9–0 burst on Lauren Jones' serve, featuring four aces, to seize a 9–2 lead. The margin swelled to double digits at 16–5, and the Pioneers cruised from there, closing the match 25–13.
 
OCTOBER 25TH | KOGUT BECOMES WOMEN'S SOCCER IRONWOMAN AS PIONEERS BATTLE TO 0-0 DRAW AGAINST TOP-TABLE BROCKPORT
Women's Soccer's final home game of the season would become one for the record books. A tough Brockport team, which was undefeated on the season, came to campus for a showdown against a Pioneer squad that was primed and ready for the Empire 8 tournament. With her 72nd career game both started and played, and over 6,000 career minutes, Samantha Kogut was crowned the newest Utica University Women's Soccer Ironwoman, holding new school records in games played, games started, and career minutes. A battle for the ages would ensue, with the Pioneer defense managing to hold a Brockport offense that had averaged nearly 15 shots per game to just seven total attempts with only four shots on goal. Six different Pioneers managed to record at least one shot attempt in Kayla Giovingo, Samantha Kogut, Rylee Lamphere, Madison Wagner, Amber Piersma, and Bailey Hewson. In goal for the Pioneers was Hannah Pcola, who would register four saves in the contest that would end in a 0-0 draw.
 
OCTOBER 31ST & NOVEMBER 1ST | VOLLEYBALL NOTCHES CONFERENCE SWEEP TO REACH POSTSEASON
After securing a pair of wins in its final weekend of competition, both in sweeping fashion over the Keuka College Wolves and the Elmira College Soaring Eagles, Pioneer volleyball clinched a berth into the 2025 Empire 8 Conference Tournament for the first time since 2023. In the 3-0 sweep over Keuka, Trinity Bailey, whose 11 kills and .200 hitting percentage powered the Pioneer offense. Kendall Turner also put together another stellar offensive outing with 10 kills and a .179 hitting percentage. At the service line, Lauren Jones turned in another great outing, posting a team high three service aces, while Turner registered two and Addison Jones recorded one of her own. At the net front, Arianna Williams managed a total of four blocks with two solo and two assists, while Lauren Jones chipped in the other two assists. On defense, Turner and Megan Wright anchored the back row with 18 digs apiece, while Bailey managed 13. In the 3-0 sweep over Elmira on Senior Day, Trinity Bailey once again paced the Pioneer attack with nine kills, while Kendall Turner managed seven, and Charley Herrington managed four. At the service line, Turner posted a team high six service aces, while Allison Navarra recorded three. At the net front, Jada Anthony put together a fantastic showing with a team-high five blocks (one solo). Lauren Jones followed suit with four block assists, while Arianna Williams chipped in two of her own. On defense, Megan Wright anchored the back row with 11 digs, while Turner managed 10 of her own, and Jones chipped in six.
 
NOVEMBER 1ST | BENNETT MELITA CAPTURES INDIVIDUAL EMPIRE 8 TITLE, MEN PLACE SECOND
Bennett Melita achieved another legendary feat on the first day of November, taking home the individual Empire 8 Cross Country Championship as he finished a full 24.2 seconds ahead of the next-fastest runner. On top of Melita's event-best finish, four other Pioneers placed within the top 25 overall to produce a second overall team finish for Utica. Melita's time of 25:24.2 was the event's top mark, while Tobias Jeralds also stood out with a 27:15.1. Killian Bauer, Anthony Leotta, and Timothy Jeralds all finished within 3.5 seconds of Bauer's 23rd-overall 27:48.3 time.
 
The women's team would also turn in a solid performance, grabbing fifth place in the team scoring. Marlo Townsend finished fifth with a 22:55.7, while Catherine Manna notched a 15th-place run with a 23:47.7 time.
 
NOVEMBER 1ST | FOOTBALL TAKES DOWN FIERCE FISHER TEAM IN POWERFUL FASHION
St. John Fisher, the most surprising team of the Empire 8 football season, was no match for the high-powered Pioneers when the two teams met on Gaetano Stadium in the Mohawk Valley Challengers Day Game. A Cardinal team that was vying for second place in the league was stopped in its tracks by an orange and blue unit that had been firing on all cylinders following the bye week a few games ago. The Pioneers outgained the Cardinals by a 417-215 margin in the 31-7 victory, holding the visitors to just 1-for-9 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth down. The team's situational play and defensive line dominance helped set the tone for the team's sixth win of the season. Mason Miranowicz led the line, gathering four solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble that was recovered by Luke Sheldon to cement a momentum-changing turnover. Miranowicz and the Pioneer D held Fisher to 65 rushing yards and 2.2 yards per carry as the team moved to 6-2 and solidified their status as the conference's top challenger to Cortland's throne.
 

NOVEMBER 1ST | MEN'S SOCCER KNOCKS OUT REIGNING CHAMPION CARDINALS IN EMPIRE 8 FIRST ROUND
The men's soccer team put together a stunning result in the first round of this year's Empire 8 Tournament, defeating the reigning champion Cardinals for the second time this past season at Growney Stadium. This was an even more shocking showing, as an early 1-0 Cardinal lead was completely demolished by halftime, thanks to five unanswered goals in 32 minutes by the Pioneer offense. Byamungu Mugushu flipped the game on its head, notching two goals that were separated by just 30 seconds to put the Pioneers in front by a 2-1 margin. Goals by Henry Schweitzer, Carter Cookinham, and Justin Clark over the following 18 minutes helped put the game to bed before the halftime whistle, as the team held onto their 5-1 halftime advantage to secure a first round win by that same score, sending the holders crashing out of the tournament and advancing to face #1 Geneseo in a conference semifinal matchup.
 
NOVEMBER 6TH | PIONEERS AND STATESMEN MEET UP IN ALL-TIME REGULAR SEASON MATCHUP
The #7-ranked men's hockey team welcomed #1 Hobart for a midweek rematch of last season's National Championship game. What ensured was one of the most chaotic and entertaining regular season matchups in program history as the two powerhouse programs went blow for blow, although Hobart would eventually emerge with the 6-5 overtime win. Despite the result, the game had a playoff feel, and the box score would seem like an anomaly to anyone who wasn't in the building that night. Hobart took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, one which was instantly erased in the second period thanks to back-to-back responses by Eric Vitale and John Gutt. Leading 2-1, the Pioneers quickly got called for one of 10 combined penalties on the evening, leading to a Hobart power play score to make it 2-2. Each team then struck again in the latter half of the second period to make it 3-3 heading into the final frame. Hobart notched a power play score early in the third period to go up 4-3, but the Pioneers pulled one back thanks to Vitale, who then decided to score at an insanely tight angle later in the period to put the team in the lead once again at 5-4. A blue-line snipe by the talented Chrus Duclair just a few seconds later sent the game to overtime, where Hobart would find the final goal. The game shattered its incredibly high expectations as Aud-goers were treated to one of the most action-packed matchups possible in one of the featured games on the team's 25th anniversary season schedule.
 
NOVEMBER 8TH | WOMEN'S HOCKEY TAKES DOWN RANKED LAKERS THANKS TO SHEAHAN'S SPECIAL START
Freshman goaltender Katherine Sheahan announced herself as of the best young talents in the area after a special start that saw her shutout a ranked Lakers team for the Pioneers' first win of their 25th anniversary season. A first-period Maya Jerome goal is all it took for the team to capture a 1-0 victory over Oswego after a monstrous 40-save outing by Sheahan stumped the visitors. Sheahan's first official home start will be looked back on as one of the most heroic performances in program history. Sheahan and the Pioneers also shut down two opposing power play opportunities during the contest. Tess Barrett and Samantha Dobrzynski assisted on Jerome's game-winner to help the team to victory.
   
NOVEMBER 14TH | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS POTSDAM 86-84 IN DOUBLE OVERTIME THRILLER
Utica women's basketball captured its first win of the Allison Coleman era in awesome fashion up in Plattsburgh, as they defeated SUNY Potsdam in a double-overtime thriller during game one of the Cardinal Classic. Four Pioneers finished in double figures during the entertaining outing, with Vanessa Hall leading the way thanks to a 26-point performance. McKenzie Simmons and Carly Atty each scored 15 points, while freshman Jayla Bell had a great showing in her own right, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight assists. Throughout the entire fourth quarter, the Pioneers attempted to put the game to bed, continuously taking the lead before Potsdam battled back to equalize. This pattern continued until the end of the second overtime, where Hall hit a clutch three-pointer and nailed two free throws to give the team an 86-82 lead that they wouldn't relinquish over the rest of the second overtime.
 
NOVEMBER 15TH | DAIYON THOMPSON REACHES 1,000 POINTS IN ROCHESTER
The Pioneers fell to a tough Rochester side in the finals of the Chuck Resler Tournament; however, senior leader Dayion Thompson fought hard to give the orange and blue a shot at tournament gold, scoring 17 points in the outing. Thompson's 17 points also saw him pass the 1,000 point threshold, becoming the 21st player in team history to accomplish the feat. The senior has the chance to keep climbing the ranks, as at the time of his 1,000th point, nearly his entire season was ahead. The senior guard was named to the Chuck Resler All-Tournament Team alongside fellow senior Ryan McCardle.
 
NOVEMBER 15TH | MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY SETS PROGRAM RECORD AT NCAA REGIONALS
The men's cross country team took a significant step forward following its impressive performance at the Empire 8 Championships, logging a program-record 6th-place finish at the NCAA Regionals. Bennett Melita placed 5th overall at the event with a time of 25:04.6, earning a second-straight bid to the Division III National Championships. Anthony Leotta was the second Utica runner to finish, ending with a time of 26:23.9.
 
NOVEMBER 15TH | FOOTBALL DEFEATS BROCKPORT 28-20 IN INSTANT CLASSIC TO CAP OFF REGULAR SEASON
On a rainy day in Western New York, the Pioneers used a second-half surge to steal a win over Brockport on the Golden Eagles' senior day, as a Nico Duarte go-ahead field goal with seconds left led to an Eli Douglas game-sealing pick-six, resulting in the Pioneers' most exciting win of the regular season. The 28-20 victory capped off one of the program's best regular season campaigns, seeing the team move to 8-2 and be placed in prime position to host the program's first-ever home postseason game. After facing a 14-0 deficit for most of the first half, Tyler Szalkowski connected with main receiver Bryce Palmer to cut the lead in half entering the break. After an early third-quarter touchdown made the score 20-7, the Pioneers rattled off 21 unanswered points to come from behind and stun Brockport. Douglas and the defense held the Golden Eagles to just six second-half points thanks to four solo tackles, three pass breakups, and the decisive 78-yard interception return for a touchdown by the senior safety. The win brought the Pioneers' 25th regular season to a rowdy conclusion, as their sights turned to a potential home ECAC Bowl.
 
NOVEMBER 21ST & 22ND | CURTIN LOGS BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUTS OVER MANHATTANVILLE, HEENAN CAPTURES 400TH WIN
Senior goaltender Kyle Curtin stood unbeaten in net during the Pioneers' weekend series against Manhattanville, securing 62 saves during 120 minutes of shutout hockey on enemy ice, with the Pioneers winning both games by 3-0 scores to advance to 4-0 in UCHC play. Due to Curtin's amazing play in net, the Pioneers locked up win number 400 for Coach Heenan, who entered elite company following the weekend's second win. Heenan has averaged an otherworldly 17 wins per season during his 25-year tenure as the team's only head coach in program history.

NOVEMBER 22ND | MELITA COMPETES IN SECOND STRAIGHT NCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Bennett Melita traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championship race. Melita, running in his second national championship, placed 194th overall. He crossed the finish line after 25:58.7 to complete the race and the 2025 cross country season. Melita, a junior, turned in a historic season on his way to his second-straight national championship appearance. In the season-opening event, Bennett placed 1st overall at the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational, breaking a decade-old course record in the process. Where Melita truly excelled was in the back half of the season. He placed 1st overall in back-to-back events, including the Empire 8 Championship. At the Niagara Regional, he placed 5th overall to earn an at-large bid and helped secure his team's program-record 6th-place finish at the event. Melita was named both the Empire 8 Runner of the Week multiple times and is likely to receive recognition when all-conference teams and awards are announced.
 
 
NOVEMBER 22ND | FOOTBALL HOSTS ROWAN IN PROGRAM'S FIRST EVER HOME POSTSEASON MATCHUP
Utica football capped off its 25th anniversary season with a wild ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl matchup against NJAC side Rowan. In the Pioneers' first-ever home postseason matchup, the team fought back after facing a 26-7 deficit in the third quarter, coming inches away from a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds as they fell by a 26-7 final. Eli Douglas and Mason Payton combined to hold the Profs to just four passing first downs in the game, while Logan Frederick completed his eventual All-American season with 10 catches, 108 yards, and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tyler Szalkowski captured the single-season triple crown in the contest, setting new single-season records for completions (285), passing yards (3,638), and passing touchdowns (33).
 
NOVEMBER 28TH | MEN'S HOCKEY WINS 5-4 OVERTIME THRILLER AGAINST UMASS BOSTON IN FIRST ROUND OF THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
Men's hockey met UMass Boston in the first round of their annual Utica Thanksgiving Showcase, helping fans feast on the day after Thanksgiving as they defeated the Beacons 5-4 in an overtime classic to advance to the tournament championship against Hamilton. The teams traded pairs of goals, with the Pioneers taking a two-goal lead that was eventually matched by the Beacons, resulting in a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. Shortly after the beginning of the extra period, last season's Utica Thanksgiving Showcase MVP, Andrew Della Rovere, ended the affair with his second goal of the night, proving to be the dagger. The top-line center scored two goals, assisted one, and captured 20 out of 30 faceoffs to guide the team to a massive win.
 
DECEMBER 6TH | RECORDS FALL IN TRACK & FIELD'S FIRST MEET OF SEASON
The track and field season got underway during the Utica Holiday Classic down at the Hutton Dome, and featured an array of record performances by this season's Pioneer standouts. For the women's team, Laura Suppa highlighted the afternoon, making her Pioneer debut in stunning fashion as she led the way for the Pioneers in the 60m hurdles, setting the school, facility, and Empire 8 record in the event with her time of 8.69 in the final. In the prelims, Suppa ran an 8.75, which also would have broken the school record. The Pioneers had several other first-place finishers, including Arianna McClendon, who won the 600m event with a time of 1:42.14. In the throwing events, junior Allie Cary impressed, grabbing a second-place finish in the weight throw (14.66m) to pair with a first-place finish in the shot put (13.55m). Genna McCallum grabbed first-place in the pole vault (3.12m), and Hannah Allison won the high jump (1.58m) to round out the top women performers. On the men's side of things, Tanner Warren continued to showcase his stellar speed, getting right back to business with a win in the 600m (1:23.05). Forest Martin won the mile, with his time of 4:28.15 ranking seventh all-time for the program. In the high jump, Kaiden McCaskill achieved victory thanks to his top attempt of 1.97. In the weight throw, Spencer Borghardt (17.65m) achieved second place with the second-best throw in school history, while Blake Gannon (16.52) grabbed fourth place with the fourth-best throw in school history, capping off a great start to the season.
 
DECEMBER 6TH | MEN'S HOCKEY TAKES DOWN #4 OSWEGO 5-3 IN 21ST TEDDY BEAR TOSS
Up against a red-hot Oswego side, the Pioneers wouldn't be denied their moment in the team's 21st annual Teddy Bear Toss, as a late Preston Brighton goal would be the game-winner in a 5-3 victory over the #4-ranked Lakers to cap off the fall semester for the team. Eric Vitale grabbed his second career Teddy Bear Toss opening goal, breaking the ice just three minutes into the contest as his power-play score let loose an avalanche of stuffed animals. The junior forward became the fourth player in program history to notch multiple TBT opening scores. Oswego would respond with two goals of their own, before Anthony Bax landed a smooth wrap-around to tie the game at 2 heading into the first intermission. Oswego scored once in the second to give itself a 3-2 advantage heading into the final frame, but three straight third-period scores gave the Pioneers an impressive victory heading into the mid-season stoppage.
   
DECEMBER 9TH | MEN'S BASKETBALL TAKES TOUGH 69-64 WIN OVER NEIGHBORING HAMILTON
The men's basketball team avenged last season's loss to Hamilton, using an outstanding team performance from the charity stripe to walk away with the 69-64 win. The Pioneers came from behind to take the late lead, and then sank a barrage of free throws to hold the advantage. The team shot 21-25 from the free throw line in the win. Keyaton Parks played a starring role in the victory, going 8-9 from the floor in a 17-point double-double as he also pulled down 10 rebounds. Dayion Thompson led scoring with 21 points, going 12-13 from the stripe as he played a major part in salting away Hamilton's comeback bid. Jordan Cain and Liam Teague pitched in with 15 and 12 points, respectively, while Teague grabbed 11 boards.
 
DECEMBER 12TH | MEN'S WRESTLING DOMINATES KEYSTONE IN SECOND EVER HOME MEET
Men's wrestling hosted its second-ever home meet, and first in the Steve LoFaso era, as the team welcomed Keystone College to cap off finals week. In a resounding 55-0 victory for the Pioneers, the team won all six of its matches, capturing all but one via fall or tech fall within the first two minutes. Ryan Kirker pinned his opponent just 53 seconds into the 133-pound battle, while Sean Aldrich followed up with a pin in 1:51 at 149 pounds. Hunter Morton won an entertaining 165-pound bout, defeating his opponent by a 13-8 decision. Seth Richardson and Nuallan King capped off the night, winning 16-1 (184 pounds) and by pin (1:15, 197 pounds) as they cemented the 55-0 final.
 
DECEMBER 30TH | FINAL EVENT OF 2025 - MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS RPI
Men's basketball capped off 2025 with a big win against a tough Engineers team, using a career night from Jordan Cain to achieve an 82-77 win. The two teams went back and forth in a playoff-paced matchup. Cain delivered the goods, scoring 32 points to help lead the team to a big non-conference win, capping off an extraordinary year in the world of Utica University Athletics.
 

Award Winners:
All-Americans:
Sorted by First Name
Eli Douglas | Football | Senior | Defensive Back | AP Division III Third Team All-American
Logan Frederick | Football | Senior | Tight End | AP Division III Second Team All-American
Logan Frederick | Football | Senior | Tight End | D3football.com Fourth Team All-American
Logan Frederick | Football | Senior | Tight End | Walter Camp Division III All-American
 
 
Individual Awards/National Recognition:
Sorted by First Name
 

• ADante Bianchino - D3football.com Third Team All-Region II
• ADante Bianchino - First Team All-ECAC
• Amber Piersma - United Soccer Coaches All-Region III Third Team
• Bennett Melita - 2025 NCAA Division III National Championships Qualifier
• Bennett Melita - Individual Empire 8 Cross Country Champion
• Bryce Palmer - D3football.com Third Team All-Region II
• Bryce Palmer - First Team All-ECAC
• Byamungu Mugushu - United Soccer Coaches All-Region III Second Team
• Byamungu Mugushu - First Team All-ECAC
• Devin Taylor - Second Team All-ECAC
• Eli Douglas - D3football.com Second Team All-Region II
• Eli Douglas - First Team All-ECAC
• Logan Frederick - D3football.com First Team All-Region II
• Logan Frederick - First Team All-ECAC
• Megan Wright - All-ECAC Second Team
• Nathan Hernandez - D3football.com First Team All-Region II
• Tyler Szalkowski - Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist (Division III POTY)
• Tyler Szalkowski - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year
• Tyler Szalkowski - Second Team All-ECAC

 
 
All-Conference Awards:
Sorted by Season, and then Chronologically by Team (Least Recent - Most Recent)
 
Fall Sports
 
Men's Cross Country:
Bennett Melita - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Tobias Jeralds - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Killian Bauer - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Timothy Jeralds - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Anthony Leotta - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Timothy Jeralds - Empire 8 Men's Cross Country Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Women's Cross Country:
Marlo Townsend - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Cate Manna - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Marlo Townsend - Empire 8 Women's Cross Country Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Field Hockey:
Jocelyn Spiezio - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Ryleigh Johnson - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Samantha Young - Empire 8 Field Hockey Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Football:
Tyler Szalkowski - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team (Offensive POY)
Bryce Palmer - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Logan Frederick - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Antonio Cianfarani - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Jordyn Davis - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Eli Douglas - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Devin Taylor - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
ADante Bianchino - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Scotty Thompson - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Nicholas DeForrest - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Mason Miranowicz - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Aidan Olsen - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Matthew Pallouras - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Isaiah Thomas - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Mason Payton - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Eze Frazier - Empire 8 Football Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Women's Golf:
Alaina Weaver - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Paige Graves - Empire 8 Women's Golf Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Men's Soccer:
Byamungu Mugushu - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Noah Nassberg - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Carter Cookinham - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Henry Schweitzer - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Santiago Consalvo - Empire 8 Men's Soccer Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Women's Soccer:
Amber Piersma - Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
Samantha Kogut - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Rylee Lamphere - Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team
Cora Kraft - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Hannah Pcola - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Sofia Fini - Empire 8 Women's Soccer Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Women's Tennis:
Victoria Elefante - Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Women's Volleyball:
Trinity Bailey - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Megan Wright - Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team
Lauren Jones - Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Tomorrow's Leaders Team
 
Weekly Awards:
Sorted Chronologically
 
2025
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - Empire 8 Runner of the Week - September 2nd
Tyler Szalkowski | Football - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week - September 8th
Byamungu Mugushu | Men's Soccer - Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week - Sept. 8th
Tyler Szalkowski | Football - D3football.com Team of the Week - September 9th
Isaiah Thomas | Football - D3football.com Team of the Week - September 9th
Tyler Szalkowski | Football - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week - September 15th (2)
Aydin Parekh | Men's Golf - Empire 8 Golfer of the Week - September 16th
Claire Draper | Women's Golf - Empire 8 Golfer of the Week - September 16th
Hannah Pcola | Women's Soccer - Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week - September 22nd
Mason Nolan | Football - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week - September 22nd
Claire Draper | Women's Golf - NWGC Rookie of the Week - September 23rd (2)
Tyler Szalkowski | Football - Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week - September 29th (3)
Hannah Pcola | Women's Soccer - Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week - September 29th (2)
Claire Draper | Women's Golf - NWGC Rookie of the Week - September 30th
Logan Frederick | Football - D3football.com Team of the Week - October 7th
Byamungu Mugushu | Men's Soccer - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week - October 13th (2)
Isaiah Thomas | Football - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week - October 13th
Devin Taylor | Football - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week - October 13th
Jordyn Davis | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - October 14th
Alanna Fragapane | Field Hockey - Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week - October 20th
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - Empire 8 Runner of the Week - October 27th (2)
Catherine Manna | Women's Cross Country - Empire 8 Runner of the Week - October 27th
Mason Payton | Football - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week - October 27th
Hannah Pcola | Women's Soccer - Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week - October 27th (3)
Logan Frederick | Football - D3football.com Team of the Week - October 28th (2)
Kendall Turner | Women's Volleyball - Co-Empire 8 Rookie of the Week - November 3rd
Byamungu Mugushu | Men's Soccer - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week - November 3rd (3)
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - Empire 8 Runner of the Week - November 3rd (3)
Mason Miranowicz | Football - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week - November 3rd
Seth Richardson | Men's Wrestling - Empire 8 Wrestler of the Week - November 3rd
Katherine Sheahan | Women's Hockey - Empire 8 Goaltender of the Week - November 10th
Katherine Sheahan | Women's Hockey - UCHC Goaltender of the Week - November 10th
Eli Douglas | Football - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week - November 17th
Bryce Palmer | Football - Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week - November 17th
John Gutt | Men's Hockey - UCHC Co-Player of the Week - November 17th
John Gutt | Men's Hockey - Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week - November 17th
Samantha Dobrzynski | Women's Hockey - UCHC Rookie of the Week - November 17th
Eli Douglas | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Logan Frederick | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Carson Tessitore | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Aidan Olsen | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
ADante Bianchino | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Mike Malzahn | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Gavin Grech | Football - D3football.com National Team of the Week - November 18th
Kyle Curtin | Men's Hockey - Empire 8 Goaltender of the Week - November 24th
Kyle Curtin | Men's Hockey - UCHC Goaltender of the Week - November 24th
Vanessa Hall | Women's Basketball - Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week - December 1st
Madison Marusic | Women's Basketball - Empire 8 Rookie of the Week - December 1st
Laura Suppa | Women's Track and Field - Empire 8 Track Athlete of the Week - December 8th
Matt Bonato | Men's Wrestling - Empire 8 Wrestler of the Week - December 15th
 
Pioneer Athletes of the Week:
Sorted Chronologically
 
2025
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - September 2nd
Trinity Bailey | Volleyball - September 2nd
Tyler Szalkowski | Football - September 8th
Samantha Ferguson | Women's Soccer - September 8th
Byamungu Mugushu | Men's Soccer - September 15th
Cora Kraft | Women's Soccer - September 15th
Aydin Parekh | Men's Golf - September 22nd
Claire Draper | Women's Golf - September 22nd
Alanna Fragapane | Field Hockey - September 29th
Nathan Hernandez | Football - September 29th
Lauren Jones | Volleyball - October 6th
Megan Wright | Volleyball - October 6th
Byamungu Mugushu | Men's Soccer - October 13th (2)
Lyndsey Tiedemann | Women's Tennis - October 13th
Alanna Fragapane | Field Hockey - October 20th (2)
Zachary Accetta | Men's Soccer - October 20th
Kendall Turner | Women's Volleyball - October 27th
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - October 27th (2)
Marlo Townsend | Women's Cross Country - November 3rd
Bennett Melita | Men's Cross Country - November 3rd (3)
Katherine Sheahan | Women's Hockey - November 10th
Jalen Lucero | Men's Soccer - November 10th
Kaci Ryder | Women's Hockey - November 17th
Eli Douglas | Football - November 17th
McKenzie Simmons | Women's Basketball - November 24th
Kyle Curtin | Men's Hockey - November 24th
Vanessa Hall | Women's Basketball - December 1st
Andrew Della Rovere | Men's Hockey - December 1st
Laura Suppa | Women's Track and Field - December 8th
Preston Brighton | Men's Hockey - December 8th
Jackie Mace | Women's Wrestling - December 15th
Matt Bonato | Men's Wrestling - December 15th
 
Hall of Fame Article Link: https://uticapioneers.com/news/2025/7/29/general-utica-university-athletics-announces-2025-hall-of-fame-class.aspx