ALFRED, NY – Alfred University's Jesus De La Torre (Malaga, Spain/The Woodstock Academy) was named the first Empire 8 Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for the 2026 season on Tuesday.
 
De La Torre led the Saxons from the back line in their big non-conference win over Westminster College (PA) on Saturday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium. He helped hold the Titans to only 10 total shots while driving his team forward. He was the primary assister on both the game-tying and game-winning goals and shut things down from there to secure the victory. The assists came just three minutes apart to lead AU to victory.
 
De La Torre got things started as he passed to Hamza Kromah (Margibi, Liberia/Western Reserve Academy) to tie the game, 1-1 less than a minute after Westminster scored the opening goal. Then, just over two minutes later, connected with Lawrence John Taylor (Bong County, Liberia/Westminster School) for what would go down as the game-winning goal.