ROCHESTER, NY - The Empire 8 Conference has announced its Players of the Week, for the week of October 19th with three of Pioneers earning conference recognition for their standout performances.

Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) - Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Women's Soccer)

Goalkeeper Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) has been a force this week against Sage and Nazareth. The junior recorded nine saves over two matches, keeping clean sheets in both. Her seven saves against Nazareth earned the Pioneers a clean sheet and point against a high scoring attack. Duro came up with key saves at crucial moments, preserving shutouts and giving her squad the opportunity to earn positive results. With nine total saves and two clean sheets, she was the backbone of a strong defensive unit. 

Duro and the Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, October 21 as the team takes on crosstown rival SUNY Poly. Kickoff from Wildcat Field on the campus of SUNY Poly is set for 5pm. 

Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) - Defensive Player of the Week (Men's Soccer)

Accetta and the Pioneers hit the road for two road matchups this past week, challenging Russell Sage and Nazareth. Utica continued to ride a midseason unbeaten streak, extending it to six games with a 1-1 draw with the Gators and a 1-0 victory over the Golden Flyers. Accetta continued to play a pivotal role in the success, turning away all but one of the 16 shots on goal he faced over the last two matchups. With eight saves against Russell Sage and seven against Nazareth, the senior netminder continues to jockey around the top of the national save percentage leaderboard, currently sitting at .932.

Accetta and the Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, October 21 as the team takes on crosstown rival SUNY Poly. Kickoff from Laura M. Casamento Field is set for 7pm. 

Louie Roman (Oswego, NY/Oswego) - Golfer of the Week (Men's Golf)

Roman and the Pioneers traveled to The Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY, to close out their fall semester schedule at the Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) Invitational. Utica had a strong day, placing all five golfers inside the top 10, led by Roman. The junior shot a +5 on the par-70 course, just one stroke short of the individual champion. His second-place finish in the 26-golfer field aided Utica to a second-place team finish, carding just three more strokes than host MSMC (311).

Roman and the Pioneers have completed the fall portion of the 2026-27 season, and will resume play in the spring.