Reading, Pa. (October 26, 2026) - Football's Sawyer Esbenshade and Field Hockey's Ava Michael were named Alvernia Athletes of the Week for their performances during the week of October 19-24 presented by Vision Federal Credit Union! 

Michael, a senior forward/midfielder, netted two goals and added an assist in a 1-1 week for the Golden Wolves. In a 5-1 victory over Neumann, Michael scored the opening goal of the game and then assisted on Alvernia's second goal of the game. Michael then netted an unassisted goal in the second quarter that proved to be the game winning goal in the victory. Michael's five point performance pushed her over 100 points for her career which made her just the sixth Alvernia Field Hockey player to eclipse 100 career points. Michael also added three shots in a midweek setback to York.   

Esbenshade, a first year quarterback, led the Golden Wolves to a 22-21 victory over defending MAC champions Eastern University Saturday. Esbenshade completed 28 of 38 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown pass was a 58 yarder down the middle of the field to teammate Yon Anderson to tie the game at 14 in the fourth quarter. Esbenshade then led the Golden Wolves down the field with under two minutes to go and found Anderson yet again in the endzone with 15 seconds to go in the game to pull the Golden Wolves within one, 21-20. When Alvernia decided to go for two and the win, Esbenshade stepped up again and rolled out to his right and fired a dart between the Eastern secondary and into the hands of Zakai Smullen to secure the 22-21 victory over the Eagles. Esbenshade also did not turn the ball over on Saturday. 

Field Hockey is back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Eastern to take on the Eagles in a massive MAC Commonwealth matchup for playoff seeding. Football is back at home this Saturday when they take on FDU-Florham as they look to keep the ball rolling heading into the back end of the MAC schedule.