Attackman Joey Spallina, selected #3 overall in the 2026 PLL Entry Draft, made his debut for the Maryland Whipsnakes Friday night against the Boston Cannons. As advertised, Spallina did not disappoint the fans in Baltimore, recording five points on two goals and three assists as Maryland defeated Boston 17-10, dropping the Cannons to 1-2 on the season. The Whipsnakes improve to 2-1, and look to sweep their Homecoming Weekend when they face the Utah Archers in the back end of their doubleheader on Saturday.
Spallina breaks first half tie with first career points
The teams traded goals in an even first quarter. Scoring for the Cannons were Matt Campbell (1:24), Mic Kelly (4:25), and Marcus Holman (9:40). The Whipsnakes got a pair from TJ Malone (3:55; 8:58) and one from Aidan Carroll (10:13). Adam Poitras opened the second quarter with a goal at 1:22 to give Maryland their first lead of the game, 4-3. Graydon Hogg (3:34) leveled the game at 4-4, but Colin Heacock (6:35) put the Whipsnakes back on top. After Cannons tied the game again on a goal from Brian Kelly (8:27), Spallina found Heacock for his second goal of the quarter (9:05). Spallina then scored his first career goal (10:51) to give Maryland a 7-5 lead at the half.
Spallina, Whipsnakes pour it on in the second half
The Whipsnakes continued their run into the second half, starting with a power play goal from Rob Pannell (2:10). Pannell assisted another goal from Poitras (4:26), then Spallina fed Pannell for his second goal (5:58). The goal was Pannell’s 644th point, moving him past John Grant Jr. for second place all-time in points in pro field lacrosse history. A hat trick goal from Poitras (6:28; assisted by Spallina) opened up an 11-5 edge for Maryland. Brian Kelly broke the run at 7:38, but Carroll’s second goal (8:05) pushed the Whipsnakes’ lead to 12-6. A 2-point goal by Mic Kelly (10:42) pulled Boston within four, 12-8 going into the fourth quarter.
The Cannons could only muster a pair of goals by Coulter Mackesy in the final frame (2:50; 4:19). Meanwhile, the Whipsnakes got Carroll’s hat trick goal (0:39), a power play goal from Poitras (4:10; fourth goal of the game); Heacock’s hat trick goal (6:31), and Malone’s hat trick goal (9:37). Spallina then closed the scoring with his second goal/fifth point of the night (11:18).
Other Stats Of Note
Cannons: Brian Kelly (2g, 1a); Mackesy (2g); Mic Kelly (1g, 1 2-pt g, 1a); Holman (1g, 1a); Hogg (1g); Campbell (1g)
Whipsnakes: Poitras (4g); Heacock (3g, 1a); Malone (3g, 1a); Aidan Carroll (3g); Spallina (2g, 3a); Pannell (2g, 2a)
With the win, Whipsnakes head coach Jim Stagnitta tied BJ O’Hara for first place all-time in pro field lacrosse coaching victories with 95
Colin Kirst (Cannons): 15 saves; Emmet Carroll (Whipsnakes): 10 saves
Petey LaSalla (Whipsnakes): 16-28 Faceoffs; 7 Ground Balls
