LOWELL, Mass.—UMass Lowell men's lacrosse Head Coach Drew Kelleher announced the addition of 11 newcomers to the River Hawks squad for the upcoming 2023 season Tuesday afternoon.
 
The young group of talent consists of attackmen Ben Roberts (Tenafly, N.J.), Christian Thornton (Middleborough, Mass.) and Isaac Wills (Kingston, Ontario); faceoff specialist Devin German (Acton, Mass.); defensemen Nick Payne (Ellicott City, Md.) and JD Henninger (Lake Oswego, Ore.); midfielders Conor Doherty (Billerica, Mass.) and Jackson Dean (Deer Park, Wash.); long-stick midfielders Owen Wills (Kingston, Ontario) and Sam Doherty (Burlington, Mass.); and goalie Luke Renaud (Skaneateles, N.Y.).
 
The team represents two countries and six different states, including Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
 
"We have really enjoyed working with this group throughout the fall. They are working to become the best players and teammates they can be, and we are excited to watch them grow over the next four years," commented Kelleher.
 
MEET THE RIVER HAWKS
 
#2 – Ben Roberts
Hometown/Previous School: Tenafly, N.J. / Tenafly HS
Position: Attack
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Club: 02 Lacrosse
Major/Minor: Business
 
High School: A four-year starter on the Tenafly HS lacrosse team, serving as captain during his senior season … Two-time First Team All-County and All-League selection … Named a First Team All-North Jersey and a First Team All-State selection his senior year as well as the League MVP … Led Bergen County in scoring with 112 points his senior season … Helped Tenafly win the league championship his junior year … Tabbed a Second Team All-League honoree his freshman year … Also was a three-year starter on the Tenafly HS basketball team, earning First Team All-Team honors.
 
#3 – Devin German
Hometown/Previous School: Acton, Mass. / Acton-Boxborough
Position: Faceoff specialist
Height: 5-7
Weight: 180
Club: Piatelli
Major/Minor: Finance/Marketing
 
High school: Played lacrosse at Acton-Boxborough … Served as a captain during his senior season … Named a Team MVP, All-Conference nominee and a Boston Herald All-American during his senior year … Named to the All-Conference team as a junior … Picked up Second Team DCL All-Star as a freshman … Also played football at Acton-Boxborough, serving as captain his senior year … Also named a team MVP and All-Conference honoree while a senior on the Acton-Boxborough football team … Member of the NSHSS.
 
#12 – Nick Payne
Hometown/Previous School: Ellicott City, Md. / Mount Hebron
Position: Defense
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185
Club: Koopers
Major/Minor: Business 
 
High School: Played lacrosse at Mount Hebron Academy … Earned the Skip Link Memorial Award as a senior … Named to the First Team All-County Team and earned All-State Honorable Mention during his junior campaign.
 
#15 – J.D. Henninger
Hometown/Previous School: Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge
Position: Defense
Height: 6-2
Weight: 203
Club: West Coast Starz/LAXNW/ADVNC
Major/Minor: Criminal Justice/Homeland Security
 
High School: Played lacrosse and football at Lakeridge High School … Named a US Lacrosse All-American, an ADRLN All-American, a First Team All-State nominee and a First Team All-TRL selection during his senior year … Picked up First Team All-State and First Team-All TRL honors as a junior … Lead the team in caused turnovers during his freshman and junior year.
 
#21 – Christian Thornton
Hometown/Previous School: Middleborough, Mass. / Bridgewater-Raynham
Position: Attack
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Club: Laxachusetts
Major/Minor: Business Marketing
 
High School: Played lacrosse at Bridgewater-Raynham High School … Named to the All-Conference Team and the Bridgewater-Raynham Hall of Fame during his senior year … Member of the National Honor Society.
 
#26 – Conor Doherty 
Hometown/Previous School: Billerica, Mass. / Billerica Memorial
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Club: HGR
Major/Minor: Finance 
 
High School: Played lacrosse at Billerica Memorial … Served as captain and earned First Team All-Conference honors during his junior and senior seasons … Voted team MVP during his senior year … Named to the Billerica Memorial High Honor Roll.
 
#28 – Luke Renaud
Hometown/Previous School: Skaneateles, N.Y. / Skaneateles
Position: Goalie
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Club: Orange Crush
Major/Minor: Marketing
 
High School: Played hockey, golf, soccer and lacrosse at Skaneateles … Named captain of his lacrosse team and Team MVP during his senior year … Earned All-State, All-Central NY, and First Team All-League honors as a senior … Earned First Team All-League lacrosse honors as a junior … Earned All-League Honorable Mention during his freshman year … Graduated from Skaneateles with honors … Also named to the Honor Roll and was a member of DECA.
 
#38 – Isaac Wills 
Hometown/Previous School: Kingston, Ontario / The Hill Academy
Position: Attack
Height: 6-2
Weight: 160
Club: True North 
Major/Minor: Sociology
 
High School: Played hockey and lacrosse at the Hill Academy … Made the honor roll all four years … President of the Diversity Club.
 
#40 – Jackson Dean 
Hometown/Previous School: Deer Park, Wash. / Deer Park
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Club: ADVNC NDP
Major/Minor: English/Spanish
 
High School: Played football, basketball and lacrosse at Deer Park High School … Earned First Team All-Conference honors during his sophomore year … Six-time Dean's List honoree … Four-time Honor Roll selection.
 
#46 – Owen Wills 
Hometown/Previous School: Kingston, Ontario / The Hill Academy
Position: LSM
Height: 6-0
Weight: 160
Club: Nepean Knights
Major/Minor: Sociology
 
High School: Played lacrosse and hockey at the Hill Academy … Named the Defensive Player of the Year his junior season … Tabbed the Most Improved Player as a freshman … Received honor roll distinctions.
 
#55 – Sam Doherty 
Hometown/Previous School: Burlington, Mass. / Burlington
Position: LSM
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Major/Minor: Business
 
High School: Played football and lacrosse at Burlington High School, serving as captain for both teams as a senior … Four-year starter on the varsity men's lacrosse team … Named the Middlesex League All-Star during his senior year … Set the state record for receiving yards in a game in football during his senior campaign.