SU’s Joey Spallina, Riley Figueiras sweep ACC Player of the Week honors
Joey Spallina and Riley Figueiras were named the ACC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week after Syracuse's 11-9 win over Maryland on Friday. Spallina scored four goals against UMD. Zoe Xixis | Asst. Photo Editor
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For the second straight week Syracuse has swept the Atlantic Coast Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Joey Spallina won his second consecutive Offensive Player of the Week, while long pole Riley Figueiras earned Defensive Player of the Week.
These honors follow No. 1 Syracuse’s (3-0, Atlantic Coast Conference) 11-9 victory over then-No. 1 Maryland. Spallina came up big, scoring four goals, while Figueiras led SU’s defense, holding the Terrapins to their lowest scoring output against the Orange since 2011.
Spallina’s performance was especially impressive. He recorded the most goals he’s ever scored against UMD and did so while being guarded by the best defender in the country, Will Schaller. Maryland’s long pole held Spallina to five points in two meetings last season, including one assist in SU’s Final Four defeat. This time was a different story. Spallina used the pick game to free himself of Schaller and was patient when chances presented themselves.
“It’s just the mindset of just doing what I have to do to help the team win,” Spallina said postgame. “Whether that’s being a dodger or being more of an off ball guy. And just doing whatever I can to just help our offense do what they’re supposed to do.”
In every game this season, Spallina has tallied at least a hat trick. The senior’s distribution is typically viewed as a strong point, but so far through three games, he has 11 goals, compared to seven assists.
Meanwhile, Figueiras is playing as good as any defender in the nation. Despite being left off Inside Lacrosse’s Preseason Top 50 list — which included four SU players — Figueiras is performing like he felt disrespected by that.
Syracuse’s defense is letting up less than six goals per game, albeit on a small sample size. The Orange controlled much of Friday’s contest, trailing for less than five minutes and leading by as many as four goals in the first half. Maryland cut into the deficit, making it a one-goal game on multiple occasions, including with 13 minutes left.
Though Figueiras alongside Billy Dwan III, Chuck Kuczynski and goalie Jimmy McCool held the Terrapins scoreless the rest of the way.
Every week of the season so far, Syracuse has earned a Player of the Week Honor. John Mullen won Defensive Player of the Week after going 14-for-19 at the faceoff X versus then-No. 17 BU. McCool and Spallina on their side of the ball’s awards after SU demolished Saint Joseph’s 20-2 as well.
Following the biggest regular season win under Gary Gait, Syracuse looks to continue that momentum as it embarks on a six-game road trip. Saturday it faces No. 14 Harvard in its first road contest and in the coming weeks will take on No. 12 Princeton and No. 13 Johns Hopkins.
