GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Syracuse freshman attackman Joey Spallina was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, while Virginia grad student Grayson Sallade earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
A native of Mount Siani, New York, Spallina had a tremendous weekend with 12 points, scoring five goals in each game against UAlbany and Holy Cross, while adding a pair of assists against Holy Cross on Sunday. His two games with five goals apiece are each tied for the sixth-most goals in a single game by a Syracuse freshman, while his seven points against Holy Cross is tied for the 10th-most in a game by an Orange rookie. Spallina punched in three power-play goals and scored his 10 goals on just 14 total shots, a 71.4 shooting percentage for the weekend. Spallina only missed the cage on two shots, putting 12 shots on goal across the weekend.
 
In his first game back since suffering a season-ending lower-body injury in 2022, Sallade finished with three ground balls and two caused turnovers as the Cavaliers topped Michigan in their season opener on Saturday. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sallade racked up three ground balls, which tied for a game high, excluding goalies and faceoff specialists. Leading by one entering the fourth quarter, Sallade and the Cavaliers’ defense held Michigan to just one goal in the final period to clinch the win.
 
All five ACC programs are ranked in the USILA top 20 this week, with Virginia rising to No. 1, followed by Notre Dame at No. 2 and Duke (13), Syracuse (16) and North Carolina (19).
 
2023 ACC Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Brennan O’Neill, Jr., A, Duke
Feb. 14 – Joey Spallina, Fr., A, Syracuse
 
2023 ACC Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Will Mark, Sr., G, Syracuse
Feb. 14 – Grayson Sallade, Gr., SSDM, Virginia