Syracuse’s Joey Spallina validates No. 22 choice in legendary NCAA lacrosse tournament performance

Joey Spallina came to Syracuse to wear the No. 22. 

There's no more famous number in lacrosse than SU's 22. Legends of the game have passed it down, generation to generation.

In recent years, though, the Orange hadn't capitalized around its special numerals. Before Saturday, Syracuse hadn't even been to the final weekend of the season since 2013.

But on Saturday, Spallina justified in one game all the reasons for why he was given the legendary No. 22 in the first place.

And with Spallina's folklore performance, the Orange are heading to the NCAA lacrosse final four.

The Long Island native, playing a practical home game at Hofstra University, scored four goals and dished out four assists in a remarkable 19-18 victory.

“To do it on a field that I pretty much grew up on is crazy,” Spallina told The Daily Orange postgame.

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Spallina often operates from the X position, behind the goal. From there, he's the best passer in the country.

But against a better-seeded Princeton team on Saturday, Spallina couldn't just pass. He needed to score, too, and he did.

The Orange will play on Saturday, May 24 at the home of the New England Patriots. No longer will that be a pseudo-home game for Spallina.

But if there was any lingering questions to be asked of Spallina, he's answered them. You can put him just off the pedestal of the No. 22 legends of Syracuse.

He's delivered his defining performance, so far. The way he can ascend to the pantheon is to win a national title.

Thanks to Spallina's special Saturday, Syracuse still has a chance to get him that legacy-defining trophy.