Pulling Off A Hidden Ball Trick From 30 Yards Away Is As Cocky As It Gets
We added another chapter to one of the better rivalries in college lacrosse yesterday with Johns Hopkins taking the trip to Upstate New York to play against Syracuse. The two winningest programs in college lacrosse history, who are both finally on the way back up to the top after having a few down years. All great games have a signature moment, and this game's moment was this hidden ball trick unloaded from the 40-yard line.
You know a hidden ball trick works to perfection when you end up making the broadcasters look like a couple of certified dopes. For anyone who isn't tapped in, 22 on Syracuse is Joey Spallina. He's one of the most creative and skilled players in the country, so the fact that he was able to bomb that bottom right corner from 30+ yards wasn't the most shocking part of this play.
That's deep, for sure, but he's going to drill that spot 100 times out of 100. However, you'd never know Joey Spallina scored that goal if you were strictly listening to the broadcast, because the goal call originally went to #15 on Syracuse, Sam English. He transferred to Syracuse from Princeton, so we know he's a smart kid. We obviously know Sam English is a great lacrosse player. But after this play, it seems like he has a big time career ahead of him in acting. Because he sold that fake flip so hard that both broadcasters took the bait, and he had the Hopkins goalie on another planet.
The crazy part about it is that it was so close to being snuffed out right away. Scott Smith was the Hopkins defender on Joey Spallina. He knew 22 still had the ball right away. Heck, it looks like all 6 defenders out for Hopkins didn't fall for that one. But Sam English sold it so well that the goalie had no other choice but to take the bait as well. That's when it was lights out time.
If it's any consolation for Hopkins, at least it wasn't the most embarrassing goal scored against a team in college ball this past weekend.
We call this one the Hidden Brain Trick.
Yikes!