Yael Fatiev (Kiryat Shmona, Israel/Ontario Hockey Academy) and Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of November 2nd.

Fatiev and the Pioneers opened their regular season in a home-and-home set with the William Smith College Herons. After entering in relief of a 4-2 defeat by the Herons in game one, Fatiev was called upon for her first collegiate start in game two, playing a pivotal role in the 2-0 bounce back win for Utica. After stopping each of the two shots she faced in game one, Fatiev turned away all 40 on the road to cap her first victory with a shutout. The former member of Israel's national team only got better as the game progressed, making 8, 13, and 19 saves in each frame, respectively.

Fatiev and the Pioneers will travel to Oswego, NY, to face off against nationally recognized Oswego State on Friday, November 6.

Melita and the Pioneers took the short trip to SUNY Poly on Saturday to compete in the Empire 8 Championship race. Melita helped lead Utica to a fourth-place team finish, placing second overall individually in the 105-runner field. Finishing just seconds after the individual champion, Utica's senior runner crossed the 8km finish line after 25:15.8.

Melita and the Pioneers will head to the NCAA Niagara Regional in Fredonia, NY on November 14th where they have the opportunity to qualify for the national championship.