UM women get an assist from Simard

First-year University of Maine women’s hockey coach Dan Lichterman on Friday announced the hiring of an assistant coach and released the Black Bears’ 2007-08 schedule.

Quebec native Sara Simard has joined the UMaine coaching staff after spending the last two seasons as a volunteer assistant at Mercyhurst College, where she pursued a master’s degree in organizational leadership. She is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, where she played four seasons and helped the Saints make two NCAA Frozen Four appearances.

Simard, who captained the Hebron Academy team from 1998-2000, has worked several hockey camps in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania in recent years.

Three years ago, she was an assistant coach of the North American Hockey Academy.

UMaine will play a testy schedule that includes 10 games against teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Bears, who closed out last season at 10-19-2 overall, 5-14-2 in Hockey East, open the season Sept. 28-29 with a two-game home series against Sacred Heart. In November, UMaine will play six consecutive home contests against Clarkson (Nov. 2-3), Robert Morris (9-10), Connecticut (16) and Boston University (20).

Visit GoBlackBears.com for more information.

UMPI hires new coaches

The University of Maine-Presque Isle has announced the hiring of two new head coaches.

Tammy Krul of Caribou has been named the women’s soccer coach and Caribou’s Mike Michaud has been chosen to direct the baseball program.

Krul played high school soccer at Caribou, then was part of two national championship teams while playing at Franklin Pierce College under Mark Krikorian, now the head coach at Florida State.

“Coach Krul will be a great asset and head coach for the Lady Owls with her connection to the County kids as well as her international ties,” UMPI athletic director Rich Ward said in a press release.

Since 1997, Tammy and her husband Robbie have owned and operated the Dutch Soccer Academy. Last year, the academy enrolled more than 1,500 students and played host to 15 coaches from all over the world.

Michaud, an UMPI graduate, has coached baseball and soccer at UMPI.

“I believe Mike’s direction, together with his enthusiasm and energy, is a sure formula for success,” Ward said. “He is very organized and motivated.”

Edgar Monks’ lacrosse coach

Mike Edgar has been hired as the head coach for the Saint Joseph’s College men’s lacrosse program.

Edgar, who coached at South Portland High School the last two seasons, takes over a team that will compete as an NCAA Division III squad this season after two years as a club program.