Nick Cowell is entering his ninth year as head coach of the women’s soccer program. Last season, the Hilltoppers’ only loss came in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. After winning the Heartland Conference Championship, the Hilltoppers appeared in their fifth-straight NCAA Tournament and their seventh in eight years. This was their second trip to the Elite Eight. Their 18 wins tied the school record set in 2012 when they hosted the NCAA Regional round for the third time in school history and were ranked as high as #3 in the nation. In 2010,

Cowell led the team to a 17-2-2 record, a #6 national ranking and the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. The 2009 season saw Cowell guide the squad to a 16-3-3 record, and a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance for the first time in school history. For his efforts, Cowell was named South Central Region Coach of the Year.

Since taking over at St. Edward’s, Cowell has produced 58 all-conference players, 46 all-region players, seven Heartland Conference Players of the Year and 15 All-America selections. His teams have compiled a 131-22-12 record — all while maintaining a focus on academics. Last spring, the team tallied a GPA of 3.29. Twenty-three of his players were named to the Heartland Conference Honor Roll last year and eight earned 4.0 GPAs.

Cowell came to St. Edward’s after spending three seasons as the head women’s soccer coach at Sewanee: The University of the South. During his tenure at Sewanee, the Tigers posted a 37-14-3 record and advanced to the school’s first NCAA Tournament in 2005. In his 23-year college-coaching career, Cowell is 329-108-30. His 329 wins have been compiled at five different colleges: The College of Wooster (1989–1990), Trinity University (1991–1998), Baylor University (1999–2002), Sewanee (2003–2005) and St. Edward’s (2006–present). Cowell is third all-time in career victories in NCAA Division II and in the Top-15 in career winning percentage. Cowell has guided his teams to 12 conference championships and 14 NCAA National Tournament appearances. He coached 23 All-Americans and 16 Conference Players of the Year while earning Conference Coach of the Year honors 10 times.

For the past three years, Cowell has served as the chair of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer National Committee, after serving two years on the NCAA Regional Selection Committee. He has served as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Rankings Committee chair, NSCAA All-American Committee regional chair and NCAA Selection Committee regional chair. He is involved in NSCAA national and regional clinics, and in United States Soccer Federation regional and state clinics. He coaches in the Olympic Development Program at the national, regional and state levels.

Cowell received his bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish at the University of Birmingham, England, in 1983 and earned his master’s degree in Sports Psychology, and in Curriculum and Instruction, at Cleveland State University in 1988. He holds a USSF “A” license, a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and an English F.A. Preliminary Coaching Badge.

SEU Athletics Story

The St. Edward's University athletic department has a long history of success in both NAIA and NCAA competition. 

As a member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference, St. Edward’s University, has captured 59 conference titles, advanced to the NCAA tournament 77 times and has produced 67 All-Americans and 47 Academic All-Americans since 1999.

St. Edward's University is recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, and it has been recognized by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. Located in Austin, Texas, with a network of partner universities around the world, St. Edward's is a diverse community that offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to inspire students with a global perspective. St. Edward's is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university in the Holy Cross tradition with more than 5,300 students. 

2014-2015 was one of the most successfull years in school history:
-St. Edward's University Student Athletes had an 80% federal graduation rate which was tied for 9th highest in Division II.
-St. Edward's also finished 40 out of over 300 schools in the Learfield Sports Directors Cup which ranks all schools by division for the athletic success by post season apprearences and how far they advance in each sport counting up to 14 sports per university
-St. Edwards University sent 7 of 11 teams to the NCAA National Tournament.