ERIE, Pa. – Paul Colontino, associate head coach of the Mercyhurst College women's hockey team, has announced his resignation to become the head coach of the women's hockey team at Robert Morris University, a College Hockey America affiliate located in Moon Township, Pa.

Colontino becomes the third head coach in the history of the RMU women's ice hockey program after the departure of Nate Handrahan, who accepted the same position at The Ohio State University earlier this month.

“Good coaches are hard to come by,” said Mercyhurst Director of Athletics Joe Kimball. “This is a great opportunity for Paul. He has been a valuable asset and has played a major role in the success of our women's hockey team. We wish him nothing but the best in this new endeavor.”

Colontino spent seven seasons with head coach Michael Sisti and the women's hockey team before accepting his new role as head coach of the Colonials.

A 2000 graduate of Mercyhurst and a standout defenseman with the men's hockey team, he spent his first two years as an assistant before leaving for the University of North Dakota, where he helped start the women's hockey program. Colontino worked primarily with the defensemen and assisted the staff and university in transitioning from an independent to a full-fledged member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

After four seasons with the Fighting Sioux, Colontino returned to his alma mater in 2006 to become the program's associate head coach. Since then, Mercyhurst has seen its defense rank in the top-10 in several categories, including goals allowed and scoring defense.

This past season, the Laker defense allowed opponents to two goals per game while special teams killed off almost 90 percent of the opposition's power-play opportunities and contributed nine short-handed goals. Under his tutelage, Cassea Schols was tabbed the league's defenseman of the year after scoring six goals and totaling 28 points, and Pamela Zgoda broke out in her third year by contributing a career-high 22 points.

Two years prior, Colontino helped the team make a run to the national championship game with a defense that held teams to 1.89 goals per game. Three of the team's seven backliners that contributed to that mark also played a major role on offense, combining for 62 points.

Colontino's expertise, however, was most evident during the 2006-07 season, in which the Lakers accumulated a 32-2-3 record and were ranked No. 1 for 13 weeks. The Mercyhurst blueliners helped shut out 10 opponents, while the goaltenders combined to register a 1.47 goals against average for the season.

As associate head coach, Colontino guided the Lakers to a 148-25-9 record, five straight CHA Championships and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Women's Frozen Four twice and the national championship game in 2009.

"I am excited and proud to see Paul get this head coach opportunity," said Sisti. "I recruited him to play men's hockey here and helped him get started in coaching, so it has been rewarding to see his growth and development.  He has shared in many victories at Mercyhurst and I am certain he is now ready to run his own program. I wish him the best of luck and thank him for all his time here at Mercyhurst.  I think anyone who has been involved in our program appreciates their time here and feels a part of it even after they move on. It's been great working with Paul and I have no doubt he will do a great job."