WALTHAM, Mass. -- Brandeis University senior Nico Beninda of Monroe Township, New Jersey, and sophomore Daniel Shemesh of Modiin, Israel, have been selected as the University Athletic Association Athletes of the Week for men's soccer and men's tennis, respectively. They are the first Judges to earn UAA weekly honors in the 2025-26 academic year. 

Beninda was named UAA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring points in both of Brandeis's wins, a pair of 2-1 victories on the road. After the Judges fell behind at Wesleyan University on Tuesday evening, Beninda assisted the game-tying score in the 35th minute as the Judges came from behind with a goal in the 59th minute. On Saturday afternoon, the Judges trailed at halftime against their biggest non-conference rivals, #12-ranked Babson College. Beninda scored the equalizer in the 64th minute, and the Judges scored the game-winner 13 minutes later. Beninda now leads the Judges with three goals and seven points.

With a 6-0-1 record, the Judges are off to their best start since 2014. They are unbeaten in their last 10 contests dating back to last season, their longest streak since 2015. Brandeis returns to action on Wednesday afternoon against Wheaton College, who is ranked #13 in Division III. 

Shemesh, competing in the first tournament of the season for the men's tennis team, captured the 'A' singles flight crown at the Middlebury College Invitational. Seeded second in the tournament, Shemesh won his first-round match over a foe from Skidmore, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). In the second and third rounds, he met opponents from host Middlebury, winning, 6-4, 6-4, in the quarterfinals, and 6-3, 6-1, in the semifinals against the third seed. In the final match, Shemesh outlasted Tarun Korwar of Hamilton, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 17-15. Shemesh also reached the semifinals of the 'A' doubles draw with junior Pierce Garbett of Coral Gables, Florida, winning 8-5 in the quarters after receiving a bye, but falling in the semis to the eventual champs from Middlebury, 8-4.

In addition to Shemesh's success, Brandeis had three of four semifinalists in the 'B' singles flight, including champion junior Huasen Dong of Richmond Hill, Ontario. The Brandeis men's tennis team returns to action on October 3-5 with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeastern Regional at MIT and Tufts. 

Beninda is a 2022 graduate of Monrow Township High School. For more information on Brandeis men's soccer visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-soccer. 

Shemesh is a 2024 graduate of Ironi Hei High School Modiin. For more information on Brandeis men's tennis, visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-tennis

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