A new leader has been named for the Pella Christian girls soccer team, as Eagles athletic director Dan Branderhorst announced the hiring of Matt Dowie as the program’s new head coach on Monday.

A former All-State player at Pella High School, Dowie went on to be a four year starter and three-time honorable mention all conference selection at Northwestern College in Orange City. During his collegiate playing career, Matt made 73 starts over his four seasons with the Red Raiders, which is tied for the fifth most in school history. After finishing his playing career, Dowie continued his involvement in soccer, serving as a volunteer coach for one season with the Northwestern men’s soccer program. Matt then became the Red Raiders women’s soccer assistant coach for another four seasons. After moving on to coach soccer for two seasons at Southeast Polk, Dowie spent this past spring as an assistant coach for Mike Buchheit, who stepped down from the Eagles’ head coaching position in late June. 

Matt will take over a Pella Christian squad that posted a 9-9 overall record and reach the Class 1A Region 5 semifinals this past spring.