LOWELL, Mass.—UMass Lowell Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Drew Kelleher has announced the addition of Ian Moore and Connor Samuelson as assistant coaches ahead of the 2023 season. Samuelson will serve as the team's defensive coordinator, while Moore will oversee the faceoff, man-up and offensive coordination for the River Hawks. 
 
Samuelson joins the River Hawks after spending the last five years as an assistant coach for the Williams College men's lacrosse team. As the primary assistant for the Ephs, Samuelson served as the team's goalie coach and oversaw all recruiting for defensive players. 
 
"I'm so excited that Connor will be joining our coaching staff as a defensive coordinator," says Kelleher. "He is one of the top young coaches in the sport, and his passion for recruiting and developing players is unmatched. UMass Lowell is fortunate to have a coach of his caliber on our side."
 
A finalist for the 2019 Mike Clear DIII Assistant Coach of the Year, Samuelson played a critical role in leading the Ephs to the NESCAC Finals in 2019 and 2021, as well as the team's first Final Four appearance in 2019. Under his tutelage, the Ephs saw six USILA All-Americans, six All NESCAC selections, three All IMLCA honorees and six NEILA selections.
 
Samuelson kicked off his coaching career with the Hartford men's lacrosse team in 2016, serving as a volunteer assistant coach. With the Hawks, Samuelson assisted the coaching staff in developing its defensive core and goalies, organizing scouting reports, creating off-season conditioning plans and coordinating team travel.
 
As a player, Samuelson was a decorated defenseman for the Springfield College men's lacrosse
team. A captain and four-year starter, Samuelson led the Pride to four tournament appearances and four NEWMAC title, while earning several individual accolades, including All-New England, All IMLCA North Region and All-ECAC honors. He was also a two-time All-NEWMAC First Team selection and represented the Pride at the 75th Nike USILA North/South All-Star Game and NEILA East/West All-Star Game.
 
Samuelson earned a bachelor's degree from Springfield College in 2016 after majoring in psychology with concentrations in coaching and business. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in organizational leadership from Denver. 
 
Joining Samuelson, Moore comes to the Mill City after spending the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Ohio State University men's lacrosse program. During his time with the Buckeyes, Moore was responsible for video coordination and advanced scouting in addition to his duties as a goalie coach and faceoff unit coordinator.
 
"Ian is a terrific addition to our program. He is one of the hardest working coaches I have interacted with, and his passion for the game is fantastic," commented Kelleher. "He will help us tremendously at the faceoff X, on the man-up and with developing our offensive personnel."
 
Last season, Moore coached Ohio State to the sixth-best faceoff win percentage in the country and second-best in the Big Ten. His expertise at the faceoff X and between the pipes helped the Buckeyes clinch a 2022 NCAA Tournament berth.
 
Prior to his stint at Ohio State, Moore spent time as a volunteer assistant coach with the Lafayette College men's lacrosse program. While at Lafayette, Moore served as a defensive assistant working specifically with the defensive midfield unit, as well as a faceoff coordinator. In addition to his responsibilities on the field, Moore oversaw advanced scouting, sports performance, analytics and video coordination for the Leopards.
 
Moore began his coaching career with the men's lacrosse team at Arcadia University, assisting in developing special teams and serving as co-offensive coordinator. He then returned to his alma mater Ursinus College as an assistant coach before serving as an interim head coach for the program.
 
In addition to his extensive coaching experience, Moore also serves as an equipment manager for the USA Lacrosse U21 Team.
 
As a player, Moore captained the Ursinus men's lacrosse team to many program firsts, including the Bears' first appearance in the Centennial Conference Championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance and win in 2015.
 
Moore graduated from Ursinus College in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in coaching.