NEC Player of the Week: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Nate Fetcher, RMU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Brayden Wilcken, LIU
Previous NEC Releases: February 17 |
February 10 |
Preseason Poll Release
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Luke Rusterucci, VMI
Sr., A, Peachtree City, GA/Starr's Mill
Rusterucci just keeps on rolling. The senior's latest offensive explosion saw him rack up 12 goals and eight assists in a pair of runaway VMI wins that improved the Keydets to 4-1 on the year. The three-time NEC Player of the Week registered a career-best 11 points on seven goals and four assists in a 28-4 midweek win against Hampton, then tallied four goals and five assists in a 19-4 conquest of Iona. In doing so, the senior became the Keydets' all-time assist leader with 89. Rusterucci leads the nation in points (35), goals (23), points per game (7.0) and is the ringleader of an offense that's averaging the second-most goals per game across the nation (18.0).
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nate Fechter, Robert Morris
So., GK, Dresher, PA/Upper Dublin
Fechter led the Colonials to a 2-0 week, posting a 7.0 GAA and .640 save percentage. In an 8-7 win against St. Bonaventure last Monday, the sophomore made 13 saves and collected a pair of ground balls. Fechter went on to turn away 13 shots in Friday's 9-7 win over Canisius. His .505 save percentage on the season ranks third in the NEC.
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Brayden Wilcken, LIU
R-Fr., GK, Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai
Facing off against MAAC preseason favorite Siena, Wilcken impressed once again in earning his second straight NEC Rookie of the Week honor. The freshman's 15 saves and three ground balls helped the Sharks to a 13-12 win, keeping them unbeaten (2-0) at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium this season. Wilcken has compiled a .558 save percentage across four matches, which ranks second on the conference circuit.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Xander Johnson, CSU (A, So.)
Johnson's nine-goal week saw him set the program record for goals, tallying eight times against Bellarmine en route to a 16-10 win. Against Marquette, the sophomore added one more goal in the Vikings' loss.
Jagger Kerr, LEM (D, Gr.)
In the Dolphins' season opener, Kerr registered three caused turnovers and three ground balls in an 11-10 win against Canisius. Over the weekend, the graduate student caused one more turnover and scooped up two ground balls against Lafayette.
Owen Wilson, LEM (A, Jr.)
Wilson started the season strong, recording four points against Canisius. Leading the Dolphins to a win, the junior's three-goal, one-assist game was highlighted by the game-winning goal scored with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter.
Ben McIsaac, LIU (A, So.)
In the Sharks' lone game of the week, McIsaac found the back of the cage four times and scooped up three ground balls during a 13-12 win against Siena.
Brayden Wilcken, LIU (GK, Fr.)
NEC Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week.
Tyler Davide, LIU (D, Jr.)
The junior defender's five caused turnovers helped the Sharks to a 13-12 win over Siena. Davide also picked up one ground ball.
Bo Columbus, RMU (FOS, Sr.)
The senior's strong efforts at the X led to a 2-0 week for the Colonials. He posted a .647 faceoff win percentage (22-of-34) in a pair of tight wins for the Colonials. He registered four ground balls in an 8-7 win against St. Bonaventure, then went on to record a season-high seven as RMU picked up a 9-7 victory over Canisius.
David Burr, RMU (A, Jr.)
In a one-goal win over St. Bonaventure, Burr opened the week with a four-goal, two-assist game, setting up the game winning goal and causing two turnovers on the day. The junior added two more goals and scooped up three ground balls as the Colonials edged Canisius.
Nate Fechter, RMU (GK, So.)
NEC Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week.
Austin English, VMI (A, J.)
English's 15-point week was spread across two big wins for the Keydets. English tallied seven goals and three assists in a 28-4 win against Hampton, which was followed up by a four-goal, one-assist performance in a 19-4 conquest of Iona.
Luke Rusterucci, VMI (A, Sr.)
NEC Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week.
2025 NEC MEN'S LACROSSE WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
Feb. 17: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
Feb: 24: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Damian Levin, VMI
Feb. 17: Damian Levin, VMI
Feb 24: Nate Fetcher, RMU
NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Joseph Weinburgh, VMI
Feb. 17: Brayden Wilcken, LIU
Feb: 24: Brayden Wilcken, LIU