Program Lead and Varsity Head Coach: Mark Nowak
USSF B License and an Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.
Mark Nowak brings nearly a decade of coaching experience across the collegiate and youth levels to Mercer Island High School as the head coach of the girls soccer program.
Nowak has coached at Fort Hays State University and Peninsula College, while also working extensively with Washington youth soccer and state EPD/ODP players. He is passionate about developing confident athletes and strong team cultures, with a focus on leadership, relationships, and a love for the game.
He previously founded Gorilla Goalkeeping, training players from youth to the semi-professional level, and has worked with programs including Christian Fuchs’ Fox Soccer Academy, Beestera Soccer Training, and Coerver Coaching. He also grew the intramural sports program at SUNY New Paltz from 45 to over 450 participants in just seven months.
As a player, Nowak competed at the NCAA Division III level at New England College and SUNY New Paltz, posting a .923 save percentage in his time at New Paltz.
At Mercer Island, Nowak is focused on building a competitive, connected program that develops both strong players and strong people.
Assistant Coaching Staff
A lifelong Washingtonian born and raised in Olympia, Jordan has coached throughout the Puget Sound region. After high school, Jordan attended Western Washington University and began his coaching career with the Sehome High School boys soccer program. From 2018 to 2020, Jordan was part of the coaching staff that led Sehome to the 2019 2A State Championship. While living in Bellingham, Jordan also worked as a film and data analyst for Bellingham United, contributing to the club’s second-place EPLWA finish.
After earning a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Washington Tacoma and moving to Seattle, Jordan returned to his passion for coaching. Since 2024, Jordan has coached at Ingraham High School, helping the varsity team earn a fourth-place state finish during their first season. Jordan also serves as a film and data analyst for USL League Two and USL W League club FC Olympia, where he met Head Coach Mark.
Jordan is excited to join the program and community as a Varsity Assistant girls soccer coach. He looks forward to bringing his coaching experience, analytical background, and commitment to high standards to help every player learn, develop, and succeed. Go Snails!
Liv has been part of the soccer world for more than 22 years. She played for several of the area’s top local clubs before competing in collegiate soccer for five years, making multiple national tournament runs and serving as team captain. After college, Liv played professionally overseas for two years—an invaluable experience that elevated her knowledge, perspective, and understanding of the game.
Each stage of Liv’s soccer journey has shaped not only the player she became, but also the person she is today. She has been fortunate to learn from a wide variety of coaches and experiences that taught her lessons extending far beyond the field, including the importance of hard work, resilience, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and sacrifice.
Liv firmly believes that every player is unique and brings individual strengths, personality, and skills to a team. As a coach, her goal is to understand and support each player throughout their personal journey, helping them define and achieve what success means to them.
At the heart of Liv’s coaching philosophy is a growth mindset—the belief that every day offers an opportunity to improve, both on and off the field. She is passionate about creating an environment where players feel encouraged to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and continually grow. Liv considers it a privilege to share the lessons and experiences from her own journey with the next generation of women’s soccer players, helping them become confident, resilient, and well-rounded athletes and individuals.
Madeline has held leadership roles for over ten years, spanning high school, collegiate, and professional settings. She is deeply committed to building a resilient team culture grounded in mutual confidence and trust among teammates.
Madeline’s competitive soccer career includes time with Tyncastle FC during high school and Sphere following college. Her passion for the sport was cultivated by her grandfather, Pablo, and further shaped by her Tynecastle coach, Craig Tomlinson, a former professional player with the Seattle Sounders. This marks her first year in a formal coaching role, and she is eager to learn from and collaborate with her fellow coaches.