CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Syracuse sophomore attackman Joey Spallina earned Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors, while his teammate, fifth-year faceoff specialist Mason Kohn, was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week.
Spallina had a huge week, putting up 19 points on seven goals and 12 assists against No. 20 Colgate and Manhattan. That included a nine-point effort (four goals, five assists) against No. 20 Colgate on Monday, Feb. 5. A native of Mount Sinai, New York, Spallina then canned three goals with seven assists on Friday against Manhattan, becoming the first Syracuse player with 10 points in a game since Ryan Powell during the 2000 campaign. Spallina had a 38.9 shooting percentage for the week and contributed on over half of Syracuse's goals in the two wins.
Kohn was a force at the X, winning 31 of his 37 faceoffs and grabbing 27 ground balls. The native of San Diego, California, also racked up six points on a pair of goals and four assists. Kohn won 17 draws against No. 20 Colgate on Monday, followed by another 14 wins on 15 chances Friday against Manhattan. Of Kohn's 27 faceoff wins, 13 led directly to Syracuse goals on the ensuing possession.
ACC teams are off to a 7-0 start through the first 10 days of regular-season action. All five ACC squads are ranked in the latest USILA poll, with Notre Dame (1), Duke (2), Virginia (3), Syracuse (7) and North Carolina (19).
Reigning national champion Notre Dame is the final ACC to launch its season, as the top-ranked Fighting Irish play host to Cleveland State at 6 p.m. Wednesday on ACCNX. All five ACC teams are in action this weekend, including a top-10 showdown at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, as No. 7 Syracuse plays host to No. 4 Maryland at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Josh Zawada, Gr., A, Duke
Feb. 13 – Joey Spallina, So., A, Syracuse
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Jake Naso, Sr., FO, Duke
Feb. 13 – Mason Kohn, 5th, FO, Syracuse