POTSDAM — In a span of just a few days, Matt and Shannon Desrosiers went from considering leaving Potsdam to work as assistant coaches at Syracuse University to being named the first head coaching married couple in NCAA Division I women's hockey.

The two, both former St. Lawrence University hockey players, were considering leaving their jobs at Clarkson University to work for first-year Syracuse women's head coach Paul Flanagan, who coached both of them during their college careers.

But while they were on their trip to Syracuse, Rick Seeley, the first coach of the Clarkson program, decided to take a head coaching job at Quinnipiac. The day Seeley took the job, the Desrosiers were offered the chance to take over the program and now find themselves guiding a team that was on the verge of making its first NCAA Tournament appearance last season.

"It all happened in one weekend," Matt Desrosiers said. "We went (to Syracuse) on a Friday and we were contemplating what we should do. Then (Clarkson athletic director Steve Yianoukos) called us."

The two are the first husband-and-wife coaching couple in the history of college hockey, according to Clarkson University.

Shannon Desrosiers, who was known as Shannon Smith when she played for SLU's women's team, had been with Clarkson's program since its initial season in 2003-04. Matt Desrosiers, a 2001 SLU graduate, was playing professional hockey until joining Clarkson's staff last season.

When Seeley left for Quinnipiac, it didn't take long for Yianoukos to offer the couple the unique opportunity of joint-coaching the team.

"There's always some concern when you get into a situation like that, but knowing the two of them I had no problem with it," Yianoukos said. "They were both highly successful (Division I) players. One was a forward and one was a defenseman. They both played in a Frozen Four."

The traits that have made the Desrosiers a good couple off the ice are also what they hope will make them a success as co-coaches. Each has particular duties they handle and each trusts the other to handle their own things without interference.

Shannon handles the majority of the off-ice aspects of the job, including recruiting and public relations. Matt, who also assists in recruiting, will focus on much of Clarkson's on-ice systems.

"I think they are great," said Clarkson senior Kimberly McKenney, a defenseman who will serve as the team's captain. "They make it fun to come to the rink and we enjoy it. We want to win for them."

The players also know what roles each coach has so there's no confusion about which coach to ask about certain issues.

"They do a great job at it," McKenney said. "Shannon worked more with the forwards last year and Matt was with the defense. They both know what they are talking about."

Expectations will be high for the Desrosiers in their first season. Clarkson was 24-9-5 last year and made the ECAC Hockey Tournament semifinals and was inched out of the last NCAA Tournament spot by Dartmouth.

The team returns its top five scorers and both of its main goalies from last season as well as four of its six defensemen. The squad also has several promising recruits.

"We've been working hard all month," Shannon Desrosiers said. "It's a lot to learn. We have nine new kids. We think they are good players, but they have a lot to learn."

Said Matt Desrosiers, "I think we have a lot of potential. I think they are all smart and talented and have a good work ethic."

Clarkson was known for its work ethic under Seeley, and that trait is expected to continue.

"The basis for our team has always been hard work," Shannon Desrosiers said.

SYRACUSE FALLS IN FIRST GAME

Freshman Megan Skelly's goal nine seconds into the game got Syracuse's fledgling women's ice hockey team off to a grand start, but Colgate came back and won 4-3 on Wednesday night at Starr Rink in Hamilton.

Syracuse, coached by Canton native and former SLU coach Paul Flanagan, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in its first game in program history.

Skelly finished with two goals, cutting Colgate's lead to 4-3 with 40 seconds left. SU had a power play with 16 seconds left but did not score.

SU's Lucy Schoedel made 34 saves. Colgate outshot Syracuse 38-19.