Seawolves Fans

IN UNIQUE RECRUITING LANDSCAPE, COACHES ALSO GUIDING THEIR OWN 2022S

As the clock struck midnight, flipping the calendar to Sept. 1 and kicking off the contact period for the next round of college lacrosse stars, there might not have been a busier person in lacrosse than Joe Spallina.

“What else is new, right?” he said.

The Stony Brook women’s lacrosse head coach was, of course, making calls, sending emails and initiating contact with the players he hopes will spearhead his program for years to come. He was also fielding calls for the Team 91 Long Island 2022 Smash squad he coaches, comprised of some of the top 2022s around.

Perhaps most importantly, he was helping navigate his eldest son, Joey Spallina, through his own recruitment. The Mount Sinai High School (N.Y.) attackman was named Inside Lacrosse’s No. 1 recruit in his class earlier this week.

“He’s amped up,” Joe Spallina said. “It’s something that’s been lingering for a while, especially with him playing with the 2020s for all those years. It’s finally time for him.”

The suitors are expected to line up for Joey Spallina, a crafty attackman with a powerful shot and a shooter’s mindset. He can add to his highlight reel of must-see goals after just about every game he plays.

And his experience is second to none among his peers. Having played up with Team 91 Long Island 2020 Crush prized recruits like Xavier Arline (Navy) and Brennan O’Neill (Duke), he thrived as an off-ball scorer. Because of his size and strength — he’s also an accomplished running back on his high school football team — Spallina is a rare breed.

“For him, he has a style of play that’s a little different,” Joe Spallina said. “He loves the game and has a passion for the game. I think there’s a great appreciation for that through coaches and coaches wanting to build their recruiting class around him.

“It’ll be exciting and stressful and fun all in one.”