ROCHESTER, NY - The Empire 8 Conference has announced its Players of the Week, for the week of October 5th with four of Pioneers earning conference recognition for their standout performances.

Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) - Runner of the Week (Men's Cross Country)

Melita and the Pioneers traveled to Fredonia to compete in the Kara Hall Memorial Invitational. Returning to action in a field of 147 runners, the senior standout shone brightly, placing second overall. He crossed the 8,000km finish line after 26:14.8, joining just 7 individuals with a sub-26:30 time. His runner-up individual contribution chipped in to a 5th-place Utica finish in the 13-team field.

Melita and the Pioneers return to action on Saturday, October 10 as the team travels to Clinton, NY for the Hamilton Invitational. The men's race from the Hamilton Cross Country Course is set for 11:45 a.m.

Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) - Runner of the Week (Women's Cross Country)

Townsend turned in another strong performance for the Pioneers at the Fredonia Kara Hall Memorial Invitational, leading Utica with a sixth-place individual finish in the women's 6K. The senior completed the course in 23:20.2, finishing as the top Empire 8 runner in the field. Townsend finished more than 30 seconds ahead of the next conference competitor, Nazareth's Kelsey Fahy, who placed eighth in 23:51.3. Her performance also helped guide Utica to a sixth-place team finish with 165 points, while she was one of two Pioneers to place inside the top 12 individually.

Townsend and the Pioneers return to action on Saturday, October 10 as the team travels to Clinton, NY for the Hamilton Invitational. The women's race from the Hamilton Cross Country Course is set for 11 a.m.

Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) - Offensive Player of the Week (Men's Soccer)

Loselose and the Pioneers completed a two-win week, defeating Keuka College and Houghton University. The senior forward was pivotal for the Pioneers, netting three of the team's four goals in the week and both game-winners. He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 road win over the Wolves before scoring the second and third goals within a 4:16 span in a 3-2 Senior Night win over the Highlanders. The scoring burst jumps Loselose to the top of Utica's scoring list, as he currently stands as the only Pioneer with multiple goals.

Loselose and the Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, October 7 as the team hosts St. John Fisher University. Kickoff from Laura M. Casamento Field is set for 7 p.m.

Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) - Co-Player of the Week (Women's Volleyball)

Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) helped lead Utica to a 2-0 week in Empire 8 play, earning wins over Elmira and Keuka. Bailey was outstanding offensively, recording 37 kills over eight sets while hitting .329 and averaging 4.63 kills per set. She opened the week with 18 kills on 30 attempts (.467) in a 3-0 sweep of Elmira, adding two service aces, eight digs and 20.5 points. Bailey followed that performance with a season-best 19 kills in a five-set victory over Keuka, while adding three service aces and 25 digs. She finished the week with 42.5 points, 33 digs, and five aces, averaging 5.31 points and 4.13 digs per set.

Bailey and the Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, October 6 as the team hosts SUNY Poly for its Mental Health Awareness Match. First serve from Miga Court at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium is set for 7 p.m.