Hempstead, NY - Hofstra Men's Lacrosse alums Nicky Polanco and Brian Spallina were inducted into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation (LIMLF) Hall of Fame at their annual gala at the Huntington Hilton on Saturday night, February 7.

The two Hofstra alums were among the 12 Hall of Fame honorees inducted and two other special honorees recognized Saturday night.

Polanco, a 2002 Hofstra graduate, was a two-year letterman on defense for the Pride in 2001 and 2002. he earned USILA All-America honorable mention honors as a Hofstra junior and All-American first team honors as a senior in 2002. After recording a goal, three assists, 70 ground balls and earning second team all-conference honors in 2001, Polanco tallied two goals, three assists, 73 ground balls and was named both the CAA Defensive Player of the Year and the CAA Player of the Year in 2002.

Prior to attending Hofstra, Polanco played on two junior college (NJCAA) national championship teams at Nassau Community College. He earned NJCAA All-American and Player of the Year honors in both 1999 and 2000. Polanco was also a member of the U.S. National Team that took home gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.

Polanco, a defenseman, has been a standout in Major League Lacrosse since 2002. He played in 138 regular season games and recorded eight goals and 454 ground balls during his professional career. He is a two-time MLL Defensive Player of the Year (2004 and 2005) and earned All-MLL honors six times. He picked up his third MLL championship ring in 2013. Polanco earned MLL Championship rings with Philadelphia in 2004 and with the Bayhawks in 2012 and 2013.
 
Spallina, a 2000 Hofstra graduate, was a two-time USILA All-American selection, including a first team pick in 2000, at Hofstra. He also earned All-America East honors in 1999 and 2000 including a first team selection as a senior. He was also a member of the US Lacrosse Team in 2006
 
Spallina, also a defenseman, completed his 13th season in the MLL in 2014. He has played in 140 regular season games and recorded 166 ground balls during his career.  He was voted to the All-MLL team in 2011 and is the only player in MLL history to play on six championship team. Spallina earned championship rings in 2001 with Long Island, 2004, 2006 and 2007 with Philadelphia, and 2012 and 2013 with the Bayhawks.

The LIMLF also inducted Amy Appelt Slade, Bobby Cummings, Dan Denihan, Adam Doneger, Erin Elbe, Tim Goettelman, Rick Mercurio, Jack Moran, Allison Pfeffer and Tom Zummo in their Hall of Fame last Saturday. In addition, the LIMLF also honored Jack Schroeder with the Harvey Cohen Service Award and Alan Hodish with the Harold Whitey Henrickson Lifetime Achievement Award. For more information on the inductees and the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation, please go to LIMetroLax.org.