Bret Boulware enters his 15th season at the helm of the Presbyterian College men's soccer program, leading the program through its transition from Division II and into the Big South Conference.
In 2013, Boulware helped the team to its first-ever win over a ranked Division I opponent with a 2-1 win over No. 24 UNC Wilmington early in the season. The coach molded a young group of Blue Hose over the season, using a heavy mix of freshmen and veterans during the campaign.
The 2012 Blue Hose qualified for the Big South Conference Championship tournament in their first year of eligibility under Boulware, tying the 2011 high-water mark of three Big South Conference victories. Boulware, a former PC goalkeeper, also helped newcomer netminder Tyler Beadle to NCAA-leading marks in saves and saves per game.
Boulware guided the 2011 Blue Hose squad to a school record three Big South victories, including a thrilling overtime win over Campbell and home decisions over VMI and Radford. Boulware's tutelage also produced an NSCAA Team Academic Award off of the pitch, while helping individual players set Division I-era highs in goals, assists and points.
The 2010 campaign saw Boulware's squad open the season with a thrilling overtime win over Furman at Martin Stadium, marking the first time the Blue Hose defeated the Paladins since 1983. PC also captured a shutout victory over Georgia Southern and nabbed a Big South Conference All-Freshman Team selection and a league All-Academic Team honor.
Boulware led his 2009 team to three wins and two ties in in its toughest slate in many years. The Blue Hose finished 2-4-2 in league play to take sixth place in the Big South and earning a 1-1 draw against regular-season champion Coastal Carolina. Boulware's squad also finished the 2009 season with a thriling 1-0 win over VMI in the season finale.
In 2007, The Blue Hose posted four wins during the team's first year of Division I play, the first of which was a 2-0 victory over Longwood on Sept. 16, 2007. PC posted back-to-back wins over Gardner-Webb and Jacksonville.
In 2006, Boulware led the Blue Hose to a 8-3-3 overall record and a 2-2-2 record in their final season in the South Atlantic Conference.
PC concluded its time at the NCAA Division II level on a strong note. The Blue Hose were nationally-ranked for a large part of the season and were ranked as high as fourth regionally. Three players earned NSCAA all-region accolades in forward Brandon Tucker (first team), defender John Odum (second team) and goalkeeper Mark Owens (second team).
Tucker and Odum were both also named to the All-SAC first team, while midfielder Bennett Cope was chosen to the league's second team.
Overall the last three seasons the Blue Hose have posted a record of 28-19-4 and finished no lower than sixth in the SAC. In 2005, the team finished 11-7-1 and was fifth in the league, while they ended the 2004 season with a 9-9 record.
In 2003, Boulware led the Blue Hose to an 11-5-1 overall record and a second place finish in the SAC regular season with a 5-1-1 mark. In addition, PC placed six players on the All-SAC teams and three players in Kevin Czar, Derek Knapp, and Doug Belknap were named to the NSCAA All-Southeast Region teams.
In 2002, the Blue Hose compiled an 8-9-0 overall record, including a 5-2-0 mark in the SAC regular season. PC finished tied for second in the SAC regular season title race with Wingate University and advanced to the semifinals of the Food Lion/SAC Tournament. In addition, the team placed two student-athletes on the NSCAA All-Region teams in Knapp and Belknap. Belknap was also named to the Verizon Academic All-America third team.
In 2001, Boulware led the team to a 6-8-4 overall record, including a 5-1-1 mark in the SAC regular season. The team fought through an injury-plagued season to win a share of the SAC regular season title with WingateUniversity. In addition, PC advanced to the Food Lion/SAC Tournament semifinals before losing to Carson-NewmanCollege.
In 2000, Boulware led the Blue Hose to a 12-5-2 overall record, including a 5-2-0 mark in the South Atlantic Conference regular season, which was good for a second place finish. In addition, PC advanced to the Food Lion/SAC Tournament semifinals before losing on penalty kicks to Catawba College.
Boulware, a 1992 graduate of PC, returned to his alma mater in 2000 after serving as an assistant head coach at Furman University for five years. During his time at Furman, Boulware helped lead the Paladins to five Southern Conference Championships, which included the 1999 season which saw the team post a 21-2-1 overall record. The Paladins earned a trip to the NCAA National Tournament quarterfinals and a No. 3 national ranking in Collegiate Soccer's final poll.
Boulware is no stranger to the Blue Hose soccer program, having played from 1988-91 and twice earning All-America honors. Boulware, a goalkeeper while playing at PC, still owns the program's single-season and career records for fewest goals allowed by a goalkeeper and was a member of the 1988 squad which set the program's record for consecutive wins without a loss (11). Boulware served as team captain in 1991, earned team MVP honors that same year, and was selected to participate in the Umbro Senior Bowl All-Star Game.
After finishing his career at Presbyterian, Boulware moved to the sidelines where he served as assistant coach of the Blue Hose men's soccer program for three seasons. During that time, PC won two SAC regular season titles and posted a 38-16-6 overall mark.
In addition, he served as a coach of the South Carolina Olympic Development Team and holds a USSF National "B" License.
A 1992 graduate of Presbyterian College, Boulware earned his B.S. in history and social studies. He also holds a master's degree of education with an emphasis in history. Boulware, 39, a native of Columbia, S.C., is married to the former Gina Gatti (PC class of '89) of Columbia, S.C. and has a daughter Royton, who is four.
