BRUNSWICK — The Bowdoin College Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Paula Habel as assistant coach for the women’s lacrosse team.

Habel comes to Bowdoin with over a decade of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently the head coach at Merrimack College, Habel returns to the NESCAC, where she served as an assistant coach for Colby from 2013-2015, helping the Mules qualify for the NCAA Tournament and earn a top-10 ranking each campaign.

Prior to Colby, Habel owned a consistent record of success leading Bridgewater State, Emerson, Allegheny and Plymouth State University. Her 2012 Bridgewater State team claimed the NEWLA Championship and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. While at Allegheny, her squad reached the North Coast Athletic Conference playoffs in two of the three years while setting a school record for wins in a season (nine). While with Plymouth State, the Panthers won the ECAC title and finish with a 13-5 record in 2005. A year later, that same Plymouth State program went to the NCAA Tournament, won the Little East Conference regular season and tournament titles, and finished 13-6 overall.

Originally from Hingham, Mass., Habel is a 2003 Cum Laude graduate of Bridgewater State with a degree in Communications. She received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University in 2009.

A decorated student-athlete, Habel was voted into the BSU Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2011.