BUFFALO, NY – Carson Smith (Big Flats, NY/Horseheads) and Diego Rivera (East Meadow, NY/Cairo Durham) of the Buffalo State men's soccer team have been named Bengal Athletes of the Week presented by UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

Smith, a junior economics major, continued his strong season in goal picking up a combined six saves as Buffalo State went 1-0-1 in conference play. With three saves in each matchup against Fredonia and #13 Cortland, Smith now has a 0.50 goals against average on the year and has allowed just six goals all season with seven shutouts.

Rivera, a senior childhood education major, continued his historic season tallying five points on two goals and an assist as the Bengals went 1-0-1 in conference play. Rivera scored the game-winning goal while picking up an assist in the win over Fredonia before adding another goal in Buffalo State's 1-1 draw with #13 Cortland. He has now scored in seven straight games to match the Buffalo State program record.

The men's soccer team returns to action tomorrow as they will travel to Oneonta to battle the Red Dragons at 4:00 pm.