SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The SUNYAC selects Buffalo State's Diego Rivera as the first Men's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week for the 2024 season while Plattsburgh's Brian Coughlan is the Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Rivera paced the Bengals to a pair of wins to open the season as Buffalo State defeated Elmira and Mt. Aloysius in the Fred Hartrick Classic. 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 kept his strong start going with his second career hat trick while also picking up an assist.

Coughlan helped lead two shutout efforts for the Cardinals in a 2-0 weekend as they outscored Manhattanville and Baruch 11-0. The defense allowed just six shots over both games, including holding their opponents without shots in the second half, led by Coughlan's effort on the backline as he played 90 minutes against Manhattanville and 68 against Baruch. Coughlan also contributed offensively, scoring on two penalty kicks, including the game-winner against Baruch as his goal opened the scoring for Plattsburgh.