BUFFALO, NY – Diego Rivera (East Meadow, NY/Cairo Durham) of the Buffalo State men's soccer team and Kaylee Valentic (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) of the Buffalo State women's soccer team have been named for Bengal Athletes of the Week following their respective performances this past weekend.
 
Rivera, a junior childhood education major, paced the Bengals in a pair of wins over Elmira and Mount Aloysius in the Fred Hartrick Classic over the weekend while also being named Tournament MVP. In Friday's win over the Soaring Eagles, Rivera scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick opportunity. In Saturday's win over the Mounties, Rivera tallied his second hat trick as a Bengal while also picking up an assist.
 
The men's soccer team returns to action this weekend as they will battle Alfred University and Bryant & Stratton College in the Fredonia Classic.
 
Valentic, a junior criminal justice major, netted two goals in the Bengals win over Keuka to open the season Friday afternoon. Following her multi-goal effort, Valentic tallied her third career multi-goal effort.
 
The women's soccer team returns to action on Wednesday as they host St. John Fisher for a non-conference matchup.