North Carolina Wesleyan College Men's Soccer

Mark Bowman enters his third year as NC Wesleyan Men’s Soccer Head Coach. In his first year in charge of the Battling Bishops Men's Soccer Program, Bowman led the team to a 9-7-1 overall record, including 6-1 conference record on the way to winning the 2022 USA South Regular Season Championship and culminating Bowman being awarded the 2022 USA South Coach of the Year. In 2023, Bowman led the Battling Bishops back to the USA South Championship Match and a 9-6-4 record. Bowman came to N.C. Wesleyan from Div. III Randolph College (Va.) where he was the Recruiting Coordinator and Goalkeepers Coach. Mark spent 3 seasons with Randolph College over two stints (2018-2019, Spring 2021). During that time he helped the Wildcats improve in win percentage, retention rates, and team average GPA. Bowman also worked as the Men’s Assistant Coach at D-2 University of Mount Olive 2020, while also serving a short time as the Men’s Soccer Interim Head Coach. Prior to his time at Mount Olive, Mark was the head coach of Appomattox County High School from 2018 to 2020. During his time on staff at Appomattox, Bowman helped the program to a VA 2A State Semi-Final. Bowman attended Liberty University from Spring 2013 until his graduation in 2015, where he also served as a student manager for their Men’s Soccer team, overseeing the development of the stats and analytics program. After graduating in 2015, he remained on Liberty’s staff as a volunteer assistant through the 2016 season. Mark played soccer for the University of Valley Forge during the 2009 and 2010 seasons before joining the staff as the goalkeeper’s coach for the following two seasons. He then spent the spring of 2012 in Guinea, West Africa as the head coach of the U-17 Boys team for F.C. Lion of Timbi Madina, while also coaching the Goalkeepers for the Men’s team. Mark grew up in Morocco, where he developed his love for the sport of soccer for over 15 years. His multi-cultural background drives his passion for working with international students, and understanding how to relate to people of different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Coach Bowman is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, and is working on Spanish and Italian. Mark holds his USSF D-License, FA Wales C-Certificate, and United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper 2 Diploma.  Mark and his wife, Rachel, live in Rocky Mount with their three daughters.

Mark Bowman is entering his first season as assistant coach with the Battling Bishop mens soccer program after being hired in the summer of 2021. He comes to Wesleyan from D-3 Randolph College (Va.) where he was the Recruiting Coordinator and Goalkeepers Coach. Mark spent 3 season with Randolph College over two stints (2018-2019, Spring 2021). During that time he helped the Wildcats improve in win percentage, retention rates, and team average GPA. Bowman also worked as the Mens Assistant Coach at D-2 University of Mount Olive 2020, while also serving a short time as the Mens Soccer Interim Head Coach. Prior to his time at Mount Olive, Mark was the head coach of Appomattox County High School from 2018 to 2020. During his time on staff at Appomattox, Bowman helped the program to a VA 2A State Semi-Final. Bowman attended Liberty University from Spring 2013 until his graduation in 2015, where he also served as a student manager for their Mens Soccer team, overseeing the development of the stats and analytics program. After graduating in 2015, he remained on Libertys staff as a volunteer assistant through the 2016 season. Mark played soccer for the University of Valley Forge during the 2009 and 2010 seasons before joining the staff as the goalkeepers coach for the following two seasons. He then spent the spring of 2012 in Guinea, West Africa as the head coach of the U-17 Boys team for F.C. Lion of Timbi Madina, while also coaching the Goalkeepers for the Mens team. Mark holds his USSF D-License, United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper 2 Diploma, and is currently working on his FA-Wales/UEFA C Certificate.  Mark and his wife, Rachel, live in Rocky Mount with their daughter, Olivia.

I am currently attending NCWU following the completion of my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Valley Forge in Phoenixville, PA. At UVF, I was a 4 year starter at Right Back, where I played over 2,800 minutes and Captained the Patriots  senior year. A native of Bensalem, PA, I played for the local Bensalem High School before being recruited to Valley Forge. I will also be receiving my Masters of Public Health while at NCWU.

Cooper Hall is entering his third season as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Battling Bishop men’s soccer program.  Prior to Wesleyan, (2019-2021) Cooper served as the Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach at NJCAA Louisburg College. During that time, he helped lead the team to 3 region titles, 2 district championships, and 2 national tournament appearances.  Hall played college soccer for Div. II Fort Lewis College (CO) in 2012 majoring in exercise science while he also played for nearby Louisburg College in NC, Daniel Webster College, and Southern New Hampshire University where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in 2018.  Upon graduation he accepted a position at Rivier University as their Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach.  In addition to college soccer, Cooper also played for PDL team Carolina Dynamo (2014) and NPSL team Greater Lowel (2016-2017). Coach Hall holds his USSF "D" level coaching license and enjoys biking and skiing. Hall graduated from Heber City High School in 2012 and was a two-year starting goalkeeper for the Wasps leading his team to a Utah state championship in 2011. He was also a two-time Utah 3A All-state member and set Utah state record with 25 career shutouts while playing club soccer for the Heber Valley Storm.  

North Carolina Wesleyan men’s soccer is proud to welcome Matias Valenzuela Matic to the Battling Bishops coaching staff as an assistant coach. A former collegiate standout with high-level playing experience and a passion for developing student-athletes, Valenzuela Matic brings both skill and enthusiasm to his new role in Rocky Mount. Valenzuela Matic joins N.C. Wesleyan following a successful playing career at SUNY Cortland, one of the premier NCAA Division III soccer programs in the country. In 2024, he appeared in twenty matches with six starts, logging 688 minutes while tallying eleven points on two goals and seven assists. Cortland boasted an undefeated 8-0-0 record in games where Valenzuela Matic recorded either a goal or an assist. His performance included a goal and assist in an 8-0 victory over Canton, a penalty kick conversion against Fredonia, and several key assists in important wins across the season. In 2023, he saw action in sixteen matches with seven starts, contributing to a Cortland squad that outscored its opponents 46-12 in the games he played. Prior to his time at Cortland, Valenzuela Matic was a member of the soccer program at Hobart College and played his high school soccer at Northwood School, where he was a two-year starter and part of an IMG Cup championship team. Valenzuela Matic brings valuable insight as a recent player and will assist in all areas of the men's soccer program, including training, match preparation, and player development. “Matias is a tremendous addition to our program,” said head coach Mark Bowman. “His recent playing experience at a high level, combined with his passion for teaching the game, makes him a perfect fit for our coaching staff. His energy and attention to detail will be a great benefit to our student-athletes as we continue to grow our program.” With a strong foundation in the technical and tactical aspects of the game, Valenzuela Matic is poised to make a significant impact on the continued success of Battling Bishop men’s soccer.