Syracuse men's lacrosse fans have a lot to cheer about this season, and the excitement just got even bigger. Senior attacker Joey Spallina has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, the highest individual honor in college lacrosse. This announcement, made Tuesday night by the Tewaaraton Foundation, marks a milestone for both Spallina and the Orange program.

Spallina joins an elite group of finalists that includes North Carolina's Owen Duffy, Cornell's Willem Firth, Princeton's Nate Kabiri, and Notre Dame's Shawn Lyght. Notably, Lyght, a close defender, is the only non-attacker in the final five, highlighting the diverse talent vying for the award. With the NCAA tournament underway, the race is wide open, and the month of May will play a crucial role in determining the winner. The player who leads their team to the deepest postseason run will likely gain the edge.

For Syracuse, this nomination is a historic moment. Spallina is the first Orange player to be named a Tewaaraton finalist in over a decade, since Kevin Rice earned the honor back in 2015. It's a testament to the program's resurgence and Spallina's incredible impact on the field.

Spallina's senior season has been nothing short of phenomenal. He leads the Orange with 75 points and 45 assists, alongside 30 goals. His 4.69 points per game rank ninth-best in the nation, while his 2.81 assists per game sit fourth-best. Just a few weeks ago, he became Syracuse's all-time career points leader, surpassing Mike Powell's previous record of 307. Spallina now boasts 321 points as the team heads into the NCAA tournament.

The 2026 Tewaaraton Award ceremony is set for Thursday, May 28 in Washington, D.C. As Spallina continues to elevate his game, lacrosse fans everywhere will be watching to see if he can bring home the sport's most coveted prize.