DeMaio, Carlson, Kessler are USA Lacrosse Men's Players of the Week

This season, USA Lacrosse will celebrate the accomplishments of players across Divisions I, II and III each Tuesday with Player of the Week recognition.

Players of the Week are selected by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors based on a variety of factors, including individual performance and impact on team success.

DIVISION I

Nick DeMaio, Towson

Towson did not need much help to throttle Navy over the weekend — it was 17-5, after all. But DeMaio was at the heart of the offensive performance, producing four goals (on five shots) with five assists.

The leading scorer for Towson in 2023, DeMaio is on his way to what looks like a career-best season.

DIVISION II

KC Carlson, UIndy

Carlson was all over every shot he saw against Mercyhurst. He finished the game with 17 saves, stopping 71 percent of the shots he saw — a major difference in a game that went down to the final moments. And those final moments were as nerve-wracking as it gets.

Carlson had to make a save in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to preserve the win, and he had to make it on a shot from Mercyhurst goalie Brett Olney, who ran coast to coast and put a good shot on net.

DIVISION III

Ethan Kessler, Gettysburg

The Bullets had a lot of question marks coming into the season, having graduated a stacked senior class from a year ago. Kessler’s four-goal performance against Lynchburg answered some of those questions. He had the Bullets’ first two goals and another tally that was the icing on the cake with 24 seconds left. 

Lynchburg is a deep, talented, senior-heavy roster, so Kessler and the Bullets made a big statement with a win. Next week they can make another one, as they visit top-ranked Salisbury.