WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Needing just three seasons to build the men's soccer team into one of the top programs of the America East Conference, the University of Hartford has signed Tom Poitras to a contract extension that will keep him as the Hawks' head coach through the 2018-19 academic year. President Walter Harrison and Director of Athletics Pat Meiser made the announcement on Friday afternoon.

"Tom has had an exceptional three years at Hartford, and we are thrilled to keep him with us for the foreseeable future," exclaimed Meiser when asked about Poitras' extension. "He came to Hartford with ample coaching experience, and we were very fortunate to get him to return home."

With a pair of America East Championship title game appearances highlighting a 28-22-9 record in three years, Poitras has built a solid foundation for a program that has made noise at both the regional and national levels.

One of the top-three men's soccer programs in New England at the end of the 2013 season, Poitras and his Hawks put together one of the most decorated seasons in recent history. Falling short in the conference title game at No. 6 UMBC, the Hawks went 13-4-4, compiling the second-most wins in Hartford's 30-year Division I history.

"My family and I are excited to continue to be a part of the Hartford Hawk family," Poitras commented. He continued, "I want to thank President Harrison and Pat Meiser for their continued support and trust to allow me to lead the men's soccer program. I also want to thank my assistants Mike Kulas, Max Wasserman and Kevin Bacher for all of the great work they put into our program as well as the student-athletes for all of their hard work and dedication to making Hartford soccer a top program."

Posting the most wins in conference play since 2009, the Hawks proved to be a threat outside of the America East as well.  During its 11-match non-conference slate, Hartford lost just one time to finish at 8-1-2 with an .818 win percentage. That mark surpassed the previous program-best mark of .800 (10-4-1) in non-league games, set 21 years ago in 1992.

Contributing to Hartford's recent success is Poitras' coaching philosophy, one that puts emphasis on defense and teamwork. Last season, the Hawks shut out 11 opponents, the most in the program's Division I history. In addition, the squad held opponents to a school-record team goals-against average of 0.81, the 32nd-best mark in the nation.

Another key milestone in program history was reached under Poitras' tenure just last month. Damion Lowe, a junior defender, became the first Hawk in 17 years to get drafted by an MLS squad. A second-team All-Northeast Region and first-team All-America East pick in 2013, Lowe was drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Sounders. Since starting his collegiate coaching career in the mid-90s, 18 of Poitras' players have gone on to play professionally.

Poitras' presence has translated from the pitch to the classroom as well. Since taking over at Hartford, eight America East All-Academic Team awards have been handed out to six different student-athletes, including a program-record four in 2013. In addition, his student-athletes reached another milestone in the 2012-13 academic year as they combined for the highest GPA among their America East peers, tallying a 3.30 mark.

"I am happy with our first three years, but am really excited for the future of this program," reflected Poitras. "We have been in two America East title games and have had the top GPA in the league last season for men's soccer, but we still have many goals to accomplish. Hartford men's soccer has a bright future, and I am happy to lead this program at such a great institution."

Poitras was named the ninth head coach in the 54-year history of the Hartford men's soccer program on April 19, 2011. A native of Southington, Conn., he arrived at Hartford with a polished resume that included 17 previous years of college coaching experience.