Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.
Syracuse has seven representatives in Inside Lacrosse’s Preseason All-American list, highlighted by Joey Spallina earning a First-Team spot. Sam English and Billy Dwan were listed on the Second-Team, while Michael Leo was listed as a Third-Team selection. Attacks Owen Hiltz and Finn Thomson along with long pole Riley Figueiras were named as honorable mentions.
Spallina is set for another mammoth season after he finished last year third in the country with 88 points, the most of any sophomore in Syracuse history. The junior has helped spearhead a turnaround at SU, leading it to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021 last season. Spallina was the only junior attack to be named to the First-Team, joining CJ Kirst (Cornell), Chris Kavanagh (Notre Dame) and Coulter Mackesy (Princeton).
English will continue his role as a two-way midfielder for the Orange after transferring from Princeton last season. In his first season with SU, English recorded 23 goals and 11 assists. Dwan is set to be another key part of Syracuse’s defense. He started all 18 games and scored eight goals — the most among SU defenders.
Leo provides Syracuse with much-needed downhill dodging. As a junior, he finished with 28 goals on 46 shots on goal. Honorable mentions Hiltz and Thomson make up the rest of Syracuse’s attack alongside Spallina. The duo combined for 62 goals last season and over 100 total points. Figueiras, meanwhile, will have a crucial role in Syracuse’s defense.
The post 7 Syracuse players earn IL Preseason All-American Honors appeared first on The Daily Orange.