CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Syracuse junior attackman Joey Spallina earned Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors, and North Carolina graduate goalie Michael Gianforcaro was tabbed ACC Defensive Player of the Week for games played from February 2-9.
 
Spallina turned in the second 10-point performance of his career, notching five goals and five assists in a 13-5 home win over Vermont on Friday, February 7. A native of Mount Sinai, New York, Spallina had a hand in nearly 80 percent of Syracuse's offensive output, including a hat trick in the second quarter. He did his damage in the first 45 minutes of the game, scoring his five goals on nine total shots, seven of which were on goal.
 
Gianforcaro recorded 12 saves in the Tar Heels’ 15-6 home victory over No. 14 Michigan on Saturday, February 8. He also recorded six ground balls and a caused turnover. The native of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, helped UNC win its 27th-straight season opener. It marked his 24th career game of 10 or more saves and his first at UNC.
 
All five ACC teams are ranked in the latest USILA poll, led by Notre Dame at No. 1 and Syracuse at No. 2. Virginia (No. 4), Duke (No. 7) and North Carolina (No. 11) also were ranked.
 
Syracuse started the ACC’s week with an 18-7 win over No. 18 Towson on Monday, February 10. Coming off its second straight national championship, Notre Dame begins its 2025 season on Wednesday, February 12, at home against Cleveland State. There are a pair of ranked matchups on Saturday, February 15, with Virginia entertaining No. 20 Richmond at 11:30 a.m. ET on ACC Network and Syracuse traveling to No. 6 Maryland at 2 p.m. ET.
 
2025 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 4 – Michael Leo, Jr., M, Syracuse
Feb. 11 – Joey Spallina, Jr., A, Syracuse
 
2025 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 4 – Aidan Maguire, Jr., SSDM, Duke
Feb. 11 – Michael Gianforcaro, Gr., G, North Carolina