Mark Krikorian, who led the University of Hartford women’s team to three America East Conference titles and four NCAA tournament appearances over the last five years, was named the first-ever head coach of the Philadelphia Charge. Krikorian compiled a 75-30-3 record with three NSCAA top-15 final rankings during his five seasons at Hartford. The Hawks went 17-4 this year, including an 8-1 America East record, before falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Hartford registered 10 consecutive shutouts from Sept. 9-Oct. 13 and finished with 12 for the season, which is one shy of the school record. In 1997, Krikorian picked up NSCAA Division I Northeast Coach of the Year honors after the Hawks enjoyed the second-best turnaround in NCAA Division I history, posting a 19-2-1 record following a 4-14 mark in his first season. The 1997 squad captured the first of three straight America East crowns, reached the first of consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 showings and finished with a No. 9 national ranking. Hartford went 18-5-2 (second straight 9-0 conference mark) in 1999 with a final No. 7 NSCAA ranking and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. “I am thrilled to be joining such an outstanding organization,” Krikorian said. “It is an exciting time with professional women’s soccer coming to the United States and it is wonderful to be a part of it. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.” Prior to taking over at Hartford, Krikorian compiled a 93-19-2 record as women’s soccer coach at Franklin Pierce College from 1990-96. During his tenure, Franklin Pierce won the 1994 and 1995 Division II national championships, including a remarkable 39-game winning streak. Krikorian was named the 1992 and 1996 NSCAA Division II National Coach of the Year and was a four-time NSCAA Division II New England Coach of the Year. “After undergoing an extensive search, we are very pleased to have Mark on board as the team’s first head coach,” said Charge General Manager Tim Murphy. “He is a proven winner at all levels and has a great knowledge of both domestic and foreign players.” Originally from Derry, N.H., Krikorian played soccer at St. Anselm College, where he was an All-New England selection in 1983 and graduated with a degree in history. He earned his master’s degree in education from Keene State College in 1994. Krikorian’s inaugural roster will feature Philadelphia’s three previously allocated players — midfielder Lorrie Fair, goalkeeper Saskia Webber and forward Mandy Clemens. The Charge also added high-scoring English forward and former Seton Hall star Kelly Smith and German defender Doris Fitschen in the league’s Foreign Player Allocation Draft.