Syracuse Improves to 3-0 Behind Spallina’s Career Night.

SAM CORCORAN: When Joey Spallina stepped foot at Syracuse in 2022, the expectations for him were sky high. The nation’s top prospect donned the number 22, and today, he showed why in Syracuse’s 16-3 win over Manhattan. Spallina’s three goals plus career-high seven assists equals ten points, the most since another number 22 accomplished that feat in 2000: Ryan Powell. After the game, Spallina said he was honored to join such an elite company of Orange players.

JOEY SPALLINA: I look up to them. You know, they were obviously great here, so to be in the same conversation as any of the Powell’s, you know, is great. But like coach [Gait] said, it’s not just me versus all out there. You know, I have great guys around me, you know, that help me get open and then I can help them.

GARY GAIT: He has the ability to have big games and lead this team and I thought he did a great job on the offense today and move the ball. I think the other guys around him helped and it’s a total team effort and we’ll need him in big games to come.

CORCORAN: Spallina’s career day boosts the Orange to 3-0 on the season, but this isn’t just any 3-0 start. The last time S-U won its first three games by eight plus goals? That came back in 1958. To make it four, S-U hosts Maryland on Saturday. The Terps have won each of the last five matchups against the Orange. The last ‘Cuse win came back in 2009. Number six Maryland and number nine Syracuse square off from the Dome Saturday at noon. Reporting from the J-M-A Wireless Dome, Sam Corcoran, Citrus T-V.