Joey Spallina Produces 7 Points in Long Island Homecoming

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — In a season filled with new challenges and experiences, Joey Spallina had a sense of familiarity Tuesday night.

The Syracuse freshman was back at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium, where he regularly was on the sideline when his father Joe coached the Long Island Lizards in Major League Lacrosse. Spallina often helped warm up the goalies.

Shuart Stadium is also where his storied high school career, in which he set the Long Island record for points with 501, ended last June in a defeat to eventual state champion Manhasset.

In his first game back since that bitter Long Island Class C championship game loss, Spallina made his triumphant return to Long Island as Syracuse defeated Hofstra 16-8 in the first meeting between the programs since 2003.

“It was pretty cool,” Spallina said. “I think my whole extended family was here, so it was pretty cool to see them. I think that was the first time they’ve all been at a game. I remember scoring goals on this field when I was 5 or 6 when my uncle first played [professionally] here and my dad was the D-coach [for the Lizards].”

Despite brutal conditions, with the wind chill at 23 degrees at the opening faceoff, Spallina Nation showed out at Hofstra. Team 91, founded by his uncle Brian, purchased 300 tickets — Spallina was one of 10 Team 91 alums between the teams. An additional 45 family members and at least 30 other friends came from Mount Sinai and parts across Long Island to watch their favorite No. 22 play against the Pride.

That included Brian Spallina, a 2000 Hofstra graduate and two-time All-American under then-head coach John Danowski, who had no split allegiances on Tuesday.

“Blood’s thicker than water, that’s what grandma would say. I’ll be wearing my Syracuse sweatshirt,” he said earlier in the day. “Obviously, it doesn’t taint my ties to Hofstra. I enjoyed my four years there, love the program and obviously have tremendous respect for Seth [Tierney] and the job he’s done there, but nephew trumps all. Tonight I will be rooting for Syracuse.”

Brian is one of three of Joey’s uncles to have played for Hofstra. Eric Spallina was first, graduating in 1997, and Tommy Kessler, his mother Mary Beth’s brother, is a Hofstra Hall of Famer who graduated in 2002 and is second on Hofstra’s all-time goals list with 140 and fourth all-time in points with 207.

The large planned pregame tailgate was nixed due to the frigid weather. And the in-game celebration was delayed with Hofstra racing out to an early 3-0 lead.

But when Spallina set up Jackson Birtwistle for his 15th goal of the year, the Orange’s second goal in 41 seconds, Syracuse had tied it 3 with 12:51 left in the first quarter — much to delight to many wearing Team 91 No. 22 jerseys in the stands.

Spallina, who in June was named USA Lacrosse Magazine National Player of the Year, had another tying assist on Michael Leo’s first of two goals, with 9.3 seconds left in the first quarter. It was set up by Spallina’s aggressive ride and caused turnover.

“I thought he’s played outstanding, and the entire offense, they work very hard as a unit, and I think that the key to anybody’s success is the success of the entire team,” Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said. “And I think Joey understands that, and he’s done a great job and takes advantage of the opportunities he gets. And today he did a nice job of distributing the ball to other guys and helping the offense really click when we needed to.”

Spallina’s first goal, part of a 7-0 run, came 58 seconds into the third quarter. That proved to be a special moment for the kid who watched professional legends like Paul Rabil and Rob Pannell score goals. Spallina took a picture with Casey Powell, another lacrosse all-timer, on the same turf when he was 10.

“It sunk in after that first goal,” he said. “That distinctive Hofstra announcer, he did Lizards games, I was used to hearing him say Paul’s name, Rob’s name — for him to say my name was pretty cool.”

Spallina tacked on three more goals — two on the man-up — and another assist to increase his team-leading season totals to 21 goals and 13 assists and help Syracuse snap a four-game losing streak.

“He’s had a lot of publicity, he’s had a lot of people go after him and he stands tall every game,” Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney said. “You take your hat off. He walks off the field with seven [points], and I think our guy when it was 6-on-6 did a pretty good job on him. But he still walked off with seven points and he was a difference maker. Joey has a bright career ahead of him.”

When the game was over, and Syracuse improved to 4-4 on the season, Spallina made his way into the stands at Shuart Stadium, shaking hands, signing autographs and taking selfies with family, friends and young Team 91 players who idolize him.

It was a happy but frigid homecoming. And while Spallina was touched by the support on Long Island, he’ll be happy to return to climate-controlled confines of the JMA Wireless Dome.

“I definitely love the Dome after this game,” Spallina said. “I’m not going to lie.”