LOWELL, Mass. -- UMass Lowell Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Ed Stephenson announced the addition of 11 newcomers to the River Hawks roster for the 2019 campaign.

 The 11 newcomers mark Stephenson's fifth recruiting class and includes five offensive players, including; Connor Jamail (Dripping Springs, Texas), Dante Giachello (Somers, Conn.), Mike Donnelly (New Hampton, N.H.), Liam McDonough (Groton, Mass.) and Zach Zeyher (Stamford, Conn.).
 
The River Hawks will also add Doug Barker (Nashua, N.H.), Eric Flynn (Bedford, N.H.), Pat Kaveny, Foxborough, Mass.) and Jack Tepper (Shrewsbury, Mass.) on defense. UMass Lowell also adds Liam Gately (Medfield, Mass.) and Matt Murakami (Long Grove, Ill.) at the goalie position.
 
"We're really excited about our incoming group, they continue the tradition of successful academic performance and athletic excellence," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Ed Stephenson. "Each year we've seen an overall improvement in our athleticism and skills."
 
"This time of year is always intriguing as we get to see the improvements made by our returners and we get our first look at this new class," stated Stephenson. We continue to add range and speed to the defensive end, while we look to add some toughness and athleticism to the offensive end."
 
UMass Lowell will open its 2019 season on Saturday, February 9th vs. Quinnipiac. Game time from Cushing Field Complex in Lowell, Mass. is 1 p.m.
 
 
RIVER HAWK MEN'S LACROSSE PLAYER PROFILES
 
Name: Connor Jamail
Hometown/High School: Dripping Springs, Texas / Dripping Springs High School
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'11 Weight: 180
Club Team: StickStar and Iron Horse
Major/Minor: Health science / Exercise physiology
 
High School/Previous School: Lacrosse All-District Midfielder Award … Lacrosse Academic All-District Award … Lacrosse Texas All-Star … Varsity lacrosse captain … Helped team to final 8 in state playoffs … D2 Lacrosse District Champions … Participated in football, track and swimming.

Why UMass Lowell: "When I met the lacrosse team they made it feel like home, and I get to study Health Science Exercise Physiology while playing lacrosse."
 
 
Name: Dante Giachello
Hometown/High School: Somers, Conn. / Somers High School
Position: Attack
Height: 5'9 Weight: 175
Club Team: Warrior Elite
Major/Minor: Economics
 
High School/Previous School: All-State … All-NCCC … Back-to-back state champions in 2016 and 2017 … Captain of high school team … Led the team with 55 assists in senior campaign … Finished with 96 points senior year … Athlete of the month … Rookie of the Year … Participated in hockey.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "I love the environment, location, and magnitude of the university. Additionally, the coaching staff was very welcoming. A school that offers great academics along with exceptional athletics is hard to come across."
 
 
Name: Eric Flynn
Hometown/High School: Bedford, N.H. / Bedford High School
Position: Defense
Height: 6'1 Weight: 165
Club Team: New Hampshire Tomahawks
Major/Minor: Computer engineering
 
High School/Previous School:  Team captain at Bedford High School … State All-Star Game … All American … Division I Lacrosse First Team All-State … Bedford Bulldog Award … New Hampshire Senior All-Star Team … Make a Wish All-Star State of New Hampshire team … 2017 Manchester Hockey Christmas Tournament Champions … Bedford High School Sportsmanship Award … Participated in ice hockey.

Why UMass Lowell: "UMass Lowell has a perfect blend of city and academics that I quickly fell in love with."
 
 
Name:  Mike Donnelly
Hometown/High School: New Hampton, N.H. / New Hampton School
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'7 Weight: 175
Club Team: New Hampshire Tomahawks
Major/Minor: Business / Entrepreneurship
 
High School/Previous School: Captain of New Hampton School varsity lacrosse … All-NEPSAC Lacrosse All-Star … Lakes Region Lacrosse League Champions … All-Conference Honorable Mention … Sterndale Award Winner … Evergreen League Football Champions … All-Conference Evergreen League Honorable Mention … NEPSAC O'Keefe Bowl Runners Up … NEPSAC'S Ken O'Brien Bowl Champions … NEPSAC'S Kevin Flemming Bowl Runners Up … Participated in football and basketball.

Why UMass Lowell: "From the new Pulichino Tong Business Center to the Cushing Field Complex, I knew upon stepping my first foot on campus that I could see UMass Lowell as a home for me for the next 4 years. The vibe I felt when I was welcomed by Coach Stephenson and Coach Gould confirmed this initial interest, and convinced me to make the decision of studying and playing lacrosse at UMass Lowell."
 
 
Name: Pat Kaveny
Hometown/High School: Foxborough, Mass. / Foxborough High School
Position: Defense
Height: 6'2 Weight: 205
Club Team: Top Gun Clams / Acton
Major/Minor: Criminal justice
 
High School/Previous School: Lacrosse Hockomock League All-star … Hock Sports First Team All-Stars for Lacrosse … Scholar-Athlete award … Stanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award … Participated in football.

Why UMass Lowell: "It is a local school that is not too far, but far enough from home, as well as the fact that it has an amazing campus that is always being improved and renovated. Their academic programs are great, and I know I'll be getting an amazing education."
 
 
Name: Doug Barker
Hometown/High School: Nashua, N.H. / Bishop Guertin High School
Position: Defense
Height: 6'6 Weight: 195
Club Team: New Hampshire Tomahawks
Major/Minor: Business
 
High School/Previous School: Captain of Bishop Guertin High School varsity lacrosse … 2018 U.S. Lacrosse All-American … 2018 and 2017 Division 1 First Team All-State Selection … 2018 NH/VT All-Star Game Selection … 2017 and 2016 Division 1 State Champion … Participated in hockey.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "Their business program is very appealing, and I know I will receive a top-notch education. I also chose UMass Lowell because I loved the coaching staff and the program that they created. I am looking forward to playing for a team that is increasing their potential every year. Finally, I chose UMass Lowell because it is close to my hometown, and my family will easily be able to attend my games."
 
 
Name: Liam McDonough
Hometown/High School: Groton, Mass. / Groton-Dunstable High School
Position: Faceoff/Midfielder
Height: 6'2 Weight: 215
Club Team: Team Central/ Southborough
Major/Minor: Computer engineering
 
High School/Previous School: All-American … All-State … First team All-Star … Worcester T&G All-Star/Super Team … Recorded most goals and points in a season for lacrosse program, … team captain … Lowell Sun All-Star … Co-MVP … Participated in hockey.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "I loved the location, and it felt like a great fit for me."
 
Name: Matt Murakami
Hometown/High School: Long Grove, Ill. / Proctor Academy
Position: Goalie
Height: 6'0 Weight: 190
Club Team: True Lacrosse
Major/Minor: Computer science
 
High School/Previous School: Northern New England Defensive Player of the Year … NNELL All-Star Honorable Mention Lacrosse: Baltimore Summer Kickoff Tournament All-Star … Vermont State Champions … Vermont All-State, All-League First Team … also played hockey.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "I chose to attend UMass Lowell because it was the best mix of athletics and academics. On the athletic side the team is strong and the coaching staff is dedicated. On the academic side the computer science program is very good, as well."
 
 
Name: Zachary Zeyher
Hometown/High School: Stamford, Conn. / Wilton High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 6'0 Weight: 185
Club Team: 3d Tri-State
Major/Minor: Business
 
High School/Previous School: All FCIAC Second Team … Lacrosse … Alex Balitsos Sportsmanship Award … WHS Winter Sport Scholar Athlete Award … Wilton Sports Persons of the year … Award of Excellence in Sportsmanship Ethics and Integrity … Also participated in football and wrestling.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "I chose to attend UMass Lowell because of the lacrosse coaching staff and team, the business school and the opportunity to further my academic and athletic career."
 
 
Name: Liam Gately
Hometown/High School: Medfield, Mass. / Medfield High School
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'0 Weight: 155
Major/Minor: Mechanical Engineering
 
High School/Previous School: Captain of lacrosse team at Medfield … TVL Championship … State champions and semifinalists … .580 save percentage … Also played hockey.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "UMass Lowell has a fantastic engineering program in addition to a great lacrosse program. The combination of strong academics and athletics is what led me to UML."
 
 
Name: Jack Tepper
Hometown/High School: Shrewsbury, Mass. / Shrewsbury High School
Position: Defense
Height: 6'5 Weight: 205
Club Team: Seven Hills Lacrosse Club
Major/Minor: Criminal justice
 
High School/Previous School: Lacrosse Central-Mass All-Star … Also participated in hockey and cross country.
 
Why UMass Lowell: "I decided to choose UMass Lowell because of the environment. Everything seems to be getting better and better by the day, and I really like that. The coaching staff really made me feel at home, and they were super nice. I also love the potential the team has. I want to be part of this quickly-growing lacrosse program and let all the other lacrosse programs know we are here to stay."