Five SU men's lacrosse players taken in PLL draft

The Orange will honor their senior class on Saturday against Colgate.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a lacrosse game, with the players' figures abstracted into angular, intersecting shapes in vibrant shades of orange, blue, and white, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The selection of five Syracuse seniors in the PLL draft showcases the program's ability to cultivate top-tier lacrosse talent.Syracuse Today

Five members of the Syracuse University men's lacrosse senior class were selected in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) draft on Tuesday. Joey Spallina, Michael Leo, Billy Dwan III, Luke Rhoa, and Dante Bowen were all chosen by PLL teams, with Spallina being taken third overall by the Maryland Whipsnakes.

Why it matters

The selection of five SU seniors in the PLL draft highlights the talent and success of the Orange men's lacrosse program. These players have made significant contributions to the team over their four-year careers, and their professional draft selections demonstrate the program's ability to develop elite-level talent.

The details

Joey Spallina, who is just two points shy of Syracuse's all-time points record, was taken third overall by the Maryland Whipsnakes. Michael Leo was selected sixth overall by the California Redwoods, while Billy Dwan III joined Spallina on the Whipsnakes with the 11th pick in the second round. Luke Rhoa was chosen by the New York Atlas in the second round, and Dante Bowen, a graduate student transfer from Ohio State, was selected by the Redwoods in the fourth round.

  • The PLL draft took place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Syracuse will honor its senior class on Saturday, April 19, 2026, when the Orange host Colgate.

The players

Joey Spallina

A senior attackman for Syracuse, Spallina is just two points shy of the program's all-time points record. He was selected third overall by the Maryland Whipsnakes in the PLL draft.

Michael Leo

A senior midfielder for Syracuse, Leo has racked up 102 goals and 43 ground balls during his four-year career. He was selected sixth overall by the California Redwoods in the PLL draft.

Billy Dwan III

A senior long-pole defender for Syracuse, Dwan has 50 caused turnovers and 98 ground balls. He was selected in the second round, 11th overall, by the Maryland Whipsnakes in the PLL draft.

Luke Rhoa

A senior midfielder for Syracuse, Rhoa is known for his long-range shooting ability and has scored 79 goals over four seasons. He was selected in the second round, 16th overall, by the New York Atlas in the PLL draft.

Dante Bowen

A graduate student transfer from Ohio State, Bowen has nine caused turnovers and 13 ground balls for Syracuse. He was selected in the fourth round, 30th overall, by the California Redwoods in the PLL draft.

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What they’re saying

“We're proud of these five seniors and the hard work they've put in to develop their skills and earn these professional opportunities.”

— John Desko, Syracuse Men's Lacrosse Head Coach

What’s next

The five Syracuse players will now begin preparing for their professional lacrosse careers with their respective PLL teams.

The takeaway

The selection of five Syracuse men's lacrosse seniors in the PLL draft is a testament to the program's ability to develop elite talent and prepare players for the next level. These players have made significant contributions to the Orange over their careers, and their professional opportunities will only further cement Syracuse's reputation as a premier lacrosse program.