Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) and Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of September 7th. This is each athlete/s first career Pioneer honor.

Pioneer placekicker Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) was the offensive MVP during Saturday's Believe Bowl victory over Washington & Jefferson, having a perfect afternoon as he went 6-6, kicking four field goals and two extra points in the 26-11 win. Duarte kicked off his senior season in style, as he outscored the potent Presidents on his own, accruing 14 points throughout the course of the season-opening showdown. Duarte hit from 22, 22, 27, and a career-high 41 yards on his four field goals, keeping the Pioneers in the lead as the offense began to find its footing. His accuracy allowed the team to still notch points, despite a few redzone stops from a rugged Presidents defense. Duarte became just the third Pioneer kicker ever to hit four field goals in a game, guiding the team to its eighth consecutive Believe Bowl victory. 

Duarte and the football team will head to RPI this Saturday for a big non-conference battle with the Engineers. That game kicks off at 12:00 PM over at ECAV Stadium.

Goalkeeper Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) was stout between the pipes in the Pioneers' three-game slate to open the 2026 campaign. Duro posted a pair of clean sheets against Potsdam and Canton, with a .769 save percentage across the three games, making a total of 10 saves. Against a tough Liberty League side, Ithaca, Duro managed eight saves through a complete 90 minutes where she was peppered with 24 total shots, and 12 on goal. Against both Potsdam and Canton, Duro posted a consecutive 170 minutes of shutout action, with her second career shutout coming against the Bears, and a combined effort coming against the Roos.

Duro and the Pioneers will be heading to the Blue Clarion Classic where they will take on Fredonia State before they take on Oswego State on Saturday.