🤫 WILL SPALLINA SILENCE HATERS?

📊 Critics Pounce on Spallina's Stat Line

After nearly 45 minutes of game action and 10 shot attempts, it finally happened…

Freshman attackman Joey Spallina scored his FIRST goal for Syracuse.

The long-awaited moment electrified the JMA Wireless Dome (that's gonna take some getting used to) and helped the Orange pull out a 7-5 win over Vermont. But not everyone was impressed with Spallina’s final stat line — he went 1-for-15 shooting in his collegiate debut.

We posted on TLN Instagram about Spallina’s goal, and the comment section had a field day trying to tear down the former No. 1 recruit in the country.

Sheesh, I'd like to know how many goals they scored in their first D1 game...

Moving forward, something's gotta give for Syracuse. Goalie Will Mark (13 saves), a transfer from LIU, was tremendous in his first showing, but the Orange can’t count on him to bail them out every game. Spallina, and others on offense, will have to step up and produce.

Syracuse has two more home games (vs. Albany, Holy Cross) to discover its offensive rhythm, before hitting the road to take on Maryland on Feb. 18. In the meantime, here’s a famous quote to keep the Spallina haters in check…

“The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring.” - Victor Hugo

💪 TLN Player of the Week: Jack Myers

Ohio State attackman Jack Myers might be the best player in college lacrosse that no one is talking about. The fifth-year senior is our TLN Player of the Week after dropping NINE POINTS (4 goals, 5 assists) in a 15-7 win over Air Force on Saturday.

Myers isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s got grown-man strength at 6-foot-4 and 210 lbs. He can do a little bit of everything, too, and that’s why I’m now calling him “The Big Fundamental” of lacrosse.

Fingers crossed Tim Duncan doesn’t sue me 🤞

💥 You Should (Still) Fear The Turtle

OK, this is kinda scary…

You know how Maryland was supposed to take a step back this season because of all the firepower they lost on offense? Well, we can now throw that theory out the window. Here’s a list of all 10 (TEN!) Terps who scored in their 15-4 romp over Richmond in the season opener:

1️⃣ Owen Murphy (4)2️⃣ Braden Erksa (2)3️⃣ Daniel Maltz (2)4️⃣ Eric Spanos5️⃣ Cayden Onagi6️⃣ John Geppert7️⃣ Kyle Long8️⃣ Ryan Siracusa9️⃣ Daniel Kelly🔟 Jack McDonald

On top of the offensive depth, Maryland also flexed its newfound defensive identity on Saturday. In his first game wearing the Terps' storied No. 1 uniform, defenseman Brett Makar racked up FOUR caused turnovers and FIVE ground balls.

Virginia (No. 1 in most preseason polls) may have been the better team on paper heading into the season, but for the defending National Champions, it's business as usual at College Park.

🧐 Is Johns Hopkins ACTUALLY Back?

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but we may be declaring Johns Hopkins “BACK” a little prematurely. Sure, the Blue Jays beat a Jacksonville team that almost won its conference last season, but they didn’t look great doing it.

Hopkins failed on FIVE clear attempts in the first half and finished the game with 19 turnovers. Jacksonville was also missing attackman Max Waldbaum, who had four goals against Hopkins last year and led the Dolphins with 72 points in 2022.

If the Jays take down Georgetown at Homewood Field this weekend, then it’s official: They’re BACK.

📺 TONIGHT: High Point at Duke

More lacrosse? Sign me up!

Duke is hosting High Point for a little Tuesday Night Lacrosse this week. That means we get to watch more Brennan O’Neill, who became the fastest player in Blue Devils program history to score 100 goals with this beauty on Saturday:

Don’t be as lost as that Bellarmine defender tonight. Tune into Duke-High Point on ACCNX/ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET, and follow TLN on Twitter by smashing the button below 👊