CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) - Three Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse players are among the five finalists for the 2026 Men's Tewaaraton Award. North Carolina junior attackman Owen Duffy (UNC), Notre Dame junior defenseman Shawn Lyght Syracuse senior attackman Joey Spallina are among the finalists. The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse players in the United States.

Duffy leads UNC in assists (39) and points (69), ranking second in goals (30). Duffy is one of five ACC players this spring with 60-plus points, setting his career high in assists and points. Hey has dished out three-or-more assists in eight games this season, highlighted by a career-best six helpers in the ACC semifinal win over Syracuse, and has posted five-or-more points in seven contests.

Lyght is the first defenseman to be named a finalist since fellow Notre Dame legend Matt Landis earned the honor in 2016. The junior becomes the seventh defenseman to ever be named a finalist for the most prestigious individual award in college lacrosse.

Spallina has 75 points behind 30 goals and 45 assists, the second-most assists in Division I this season and the fourth-best assist per game ratio. He is the only player in Division I with at least 30 goals and 45 points while his 75 total points are tied for the sixth-most in the country with the ninth-best points-per game (4.69) mark. 
 
The 2026 Tewaaraton Watch List was announced Feb. 10, with the first round of additions being announced March 5 and a second round of additions March 26.The Nominees were announced April 16 and 18. The winners will be announced live at the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on May 28.