NEC Player of the Week: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Damian Levin, VMI
NEC Rookie of the Week: Joseph Weinburgh, VMI
Previous NEC Releases: Preseason Poll Release
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Luke Rusterucci, VMI
Sr., A, Peachtree City, GA/Starr's Mill
Rusterucci opened his senior season on a high note with a 10-point week, highlighted by a pair of hat tricks in VMI’s split. A first team All-MAAC selection last year, he tallied three goals and three assists in the Keydets' commanding 18-7 win over St. Bonaventure last Sunday. In VMI’s home opener on Saturday, the Peachtree City, GA native added three more goals, an assist and five ground balls in a narrow 12-11 setback to High Point. Rusterucci also recorded one caused turnover in each game.
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Damian Levin, VMI
Sr., GK, Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge
Making his first career start last Sunday, Levin recorded 13 saves in an 18-7 win at St. Bonaventure. The senior from Hauppauge, NY followed up with a 20-save performance in a 12-11 loss to High Point that saw the Keydets fall victim to a late rally. His 20 saves were the most by a VMI goalkeeper since 2017. For the week, he posted a 9.31 GAA and .635 save percentage.
NEC MEN’S LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Joseph Weinburgh, VMI
Fr., FOS, Lorton, VA/Hayfield
In his collegiate debut, Weinburgh was dominant at the faceoff X, winning 12-of-14 draws to help the Keydets to an 18-7 road win over St. Bonaventure. He also collected nine ground balls in the victory. Across two games, he posted a .625 faceoff percentage and 11 ground balls.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Drew Graves, CSU (D, Jr.)
Graves led CSU's defense against Ohio State on Saturday with three caused turnovers and a pair of ground balls.
Ben Schuster, LIU (M, So.)
Scored a career-high five goals and added four ground balls and an assist in a 15-12 comeback win at Mount St. Mary's on Saturday.
Ryan Fountain, LIU (D, So.)
The sophomore defender caused two turnovers and scooped up nine ground balls across two games. He registered six ground balls a 15-12 triumph against Mount St. Mary's on Saturday.
Mark Regan, LIU (M, R-Sr.)
Regan recorded a hat trick and finished with six points in a 15-12 win over Mount St. Mary's. He added eight ground balls in the victory. Earlier in the week, the redshirt senior picked up an assist in a road loss against Rutgers.
Ethan Landymore, MU (A, Gr.)
Landymore, a DII All-American last season, kicked off his final year at Mercyhurst in style, netting four goals in the season opener against Bellarmine.
Jeremi Phoenix-Lefebvre, MU (M, Sr.)
The 2024 All-GMAC first team midfielder registered one goal and five assists in MU's season opener against Bellarmine.
Kyle Grant, UDM (D, Jr.)
Caused a career-best six turnovers and recorded seven ground balls in a midweek matchup against Ohio State.
Damian Levin, VMI (GK, Sr.)
NEC Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Dayton Bagwell, VMI (A/M, So.)
Leading the charge in a 18-7 win over St. Bonaventure, Bagwell ripped into the back of the net a career-high seven times. Later in the week, the sophomore scored twice against High Point.
Luke Rusterucci, VMI (A, Sr.)
NEC Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
2025 NEC MEN'S LACROSSE WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Luke Rusterucci, VMI
NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Damian Levin, VMI
NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Joseph Weinburgh, VMI