ROCHESTER, NY - The Empire 8 Conference has announced its first Players of the Week of the 2026-27 season, with a pair of Pioneers earning conference recognition for their standout performances.

Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) - Special Teams Player of the Week (Football)

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 to ever hit four field goals in a game, guiding the team to its eighth consecutive Believe Bowl victory. 

Duarte and the Football team will be back in action this weekend as the Pioneers travel to take on the RPI Engineers on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff from ECAV Stadium in Troy, NY is set for 12pm. 

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

Melita opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion, winning the 6K race at the SUNY Poly Wildcat Short Course Invitational with a time of 19:26.1. Melita's victory helped lead the Pioneers to their fifth consecutive team title at the event as Utica placed five runners among the top six finishers.The individual victory marked Melita's third consecutive win at the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational and the 10th individual victory of his career.  

Melita and the rest of the men's cross country squad will be back in action on Saturday, September 12 as the team makes the short trip to Clinton, NY to take on the Hamilton College Short Course Invitational. Start time is set for 11:45am.