Joey Spallina becomes Syracuse men’s lacrosse’s all-time points leader
Spallina passed Mike Powell with an assist to Michael Leo in the first quarter against Colgate to put him atop the leaderboard. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.
Joey Spallina now stands alone as Syracuse’s all-time points leader. The senior notched his 308th career point with a behind-the-back assist to Michael Leo Saturday against Colgate to pass Mike Powell atop the leaderboard.
The accomplishment is something to marvel at. Syracuse’s star power is one of the core tenets of the program. Powell is considered one of the greatest lacrosse players ever, alongside his brothers Casey and Ryan. Gary and Paul Gait are program icons as well.
Yes, they all played in different eras than Spallina, which didn’t include a shot clock and different tactics were employed. Still, Spallina reaching the mark is significant. The senior not only broke Powell’s record, but he’s going to shatter it. The Orange still have one regular-season game remaining and likely deep postseason runs in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Since arriving at Syracuse, Spallina has done nothing but put up numbers. As the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, he faced immense pressure to deliver. SU was amid a transition phase after missing the NCAA Tournament in Gary Gait’s first season, and it hadn’t made a Final Four since 2013.
Add in Spallina receiving the fabled No. 22 jersey, and the pressure ramps up.
Sophia Burke | Digital Design Director and Ilana Zahavy | Presentation Director
Though Spallina was up to the task. He led Syracuse with 68 points as a freshman, but took his game to another level the next three seasons. After his first year with SU, Spallina played box lacrosse in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League with the Orangeville Northmen. He improved his game by becoming better in tight spaces and understanding Canadian teammates like Owen Hiltz and Finn Thomson.
Spallina poured in 88 points in 2024, leading Syracuse to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in three years. However, it ended in disappointment with Spallina being shut out in SU’s loss to Denver in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.
There’s a narrative that follows Spallina. Detractors say he disappears in big games and he’s overrated.
It’s why, after recording eight points versus Princeton last season to help Syracuse secure its first Final Four berth in over a decade, Spallina felt the need to say something. In the aftermath, he told ESPN sideline reporter Morgan Uber, “But hey, I mean, I guess I can’t dodge anybody or beat anybody.”
This year, Spallina said he regretted those comments. Especially after he was held to one point in Syracuse’s blowout loss to Maryland in the Final Four.
Before his final collegiate season, Spallina said he’s dead set on winning a championship. He doesn’t care about anything else, even SU’s all-time points record.
Still, Spallina’s record is a big deal. He’s experiencing his most productive season in four years. He’s averaging over four points per game, and Syracuse is one of the best teams in the country. If Spallina helps SU win it all, he’ll go down as one of the program’s best players of all time.
