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Another big honor has landed for Long Island’s first family of lacrosse.
Joey Spallina of Mount Sinai has been named the No. 1 men’s college lacrosse player in the nation by Inside Lacrosse, less than a month before the start of his senior season with the Syracuse Orange.
The top ranking is familiar territory for Spallina. During high school, he was the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2022. Before ever suiting up for Syracuse, he was also named the top incoming freshman in the country.
The Spallina family’s success extends beyond Joey. In November, his younger sister, Alexa Spallina, was named the No. 1 incoming female freshman in the nation by Inside Lacrosse and is now playing at Clemson.
“She knows I’m her biggest fan and supporter,” Spallina previously said of his sister.
With the accolades come heightened expectations, but Spallina said his focus entering his final season remains on team success.
“It’s awesome to be recognized, but at the end of the day I want to help my team win a national championship,” Spallina told Greater Long Island. “I’ve been dealing with this kind of pressure since I stepped foot on campus.”
Last season, Spallina helped Syracuse reach the Final Four for the first time since 2013. In the Orange’s final win of the year — a 19-18 quarterfinal thriller over Princeton — he finished with four goals and four assists, including the assist on the game-winning goal.
Spallina wrapped up the season with 35 goals and 90 points, ranking fourth nationally. He enters his senior year with 246 career points, just 61 shy of Casey Powell’s program record.
“My teammates and coaches make it easy to just go out there and play and enjoy the sport I love,” Spallina said. “I’m excited to get back out there with my teammates and start the 2026 season.”
Syracuse opens the new season at home on Feb. 1 against the Boston University Terriers.
Top: Members of the Spallina family back in 2021. (L-R) Mother MaryBeth, son Joey, father Joe, and daughter Alexa. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport/GLI, file)
