Syracuse’s Joey Spallina, Jimmy McCool sweep ACC Player of the Week honors
Joey Spallina recorded nine points, while Jimmy McCool posted 10 saves in Syracuse's 20-2 win over Saint Joseph's. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse men’s lacrosse swept the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Orange attack Joey Spallina took home the Offensive Player of the Week, while goalie Jimmy McCool claimed Defensive Player of the Week honors.
In SU’s 20-2 demolition of Saint Joseph’s Saturday, Spallina ran rampant with nine points (four goals and five assists), conducting an Orange attacking explosion against the Hawks. During his prolific day, the senior surpassed Syracuse head coach Gary Gait for career points in SU’s program history. Spallina now stands at 261 points — seventh in program history — to Gait’s 253. The Long Island native is also 47 points off breaking Mikey Powell’s program points record.
“He’s high IQ, great vision,” St. Joe’s head coach Scott Meehan said of Spallina Saturday. “And once he gets going, the rest of the team kind of goes the way of Spallina.”
Meanwhile, in net, McCool also had a productive day. The senior logged 10 saves — all in the first half — and a career-high 83.3% save percentage. The performance extends a strong start for the Boston native, who has compiled a 73.3% save percentage across SU’s first two games.
“It’s like they were shooting a beach ball,” Spallina said of McCool’s display versus SJU. “When Jimmy’s playing like that, it gives the offense some confidence.”
Through two weeks, Syracuse has dominated the ACC’s weekly awards. Faceoff man John Mullen won the conference’s Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 3, following his 14-of-19 showing at X against then-No. 17 Boston University.
Spallina, McCool and Syracuse’s early-season momentum will be put to the test Friday. The Orange host No. 1 Maryland, which has defeated SU in its last eight meetings, dating back to 2009. The Terrapins also convincingly beat SU twice in 2025, including in the Final Four.
