Two Athletes Claim ECAC Player of the Week Honors
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its Athletes-of-the-Week for their performances during the week of Oct 1-7. Two student-athletes from the Empire 8 claimed honors.
Utica College senior quarterback Andrew Benkwitt was named the Northwest Offensive Player of the Week. Benkwitt set school records for completions (38) and touchdown passes (6) Saturday as he passed for 398 yards overall in the Pioneers’ 51-44 win over Buffalo State. Four of the TD passes came in the fourth quarter; including the tying score with 2:47 left and the game-winning score with 13 seconds left as Utica rallied from 15 points down to win.
Ithaca senior Rachael Palladina was selected as the Women’s Soccer Upstate Offensive Player of the week. Palladino posted five points to lead Ithaca to a 2-0-1 week as the #6/5 Bombers remained unbeaten in 2012. Palladino, who ranks second in career goals (56), assists (21) and points (133) at Ithaca, scored the game-winner in a 1-0 shutout at #12/24 Misericordia on Tuesday. She assisted on the game's first goal against Nazareth and added an insurance goal of her own in the 3-1 Empire 8 victory on Saturday.