Ottumwa -- A former Iowa community college soccer player has been chosen to take over the women's program at Indian Hills Community College. Stephanie Gale, who came to the United States from England nearly six years ago to attend college and play soccer, is the new women's head coach at IHCC.

Gale was an all-league and All-American player at Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge, a conference rival of Indian Hills' in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference.

A native of Northampton, England, Gale had an accomplished career at Iowa Central. She was named first-team all-conference after her freshman and sophomore seasons and was the top goal-scorer for the Tritons both years. Following her sophomore campaign, Gale was selected to the NJCAA All-American team and was named the female player of the year at Iowa Central.

From Iowa Central, Gale transferred to Murray State University in Kentucky, an NCAA Division I school, where the roster included players from eight different states and eight foreign countries.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Advertising with a minor in Physical Education from Murray State, Gale returned to Iowa to attend the University of Northern Iowa where she will complete a master's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Psychology in May.

While working on her degree at UNI, Gale helped coach the Panthers' soccer team and also worked with the Cedar Valley Soccer Club with ages from U12 - U16..

Gale is excited to be taking over the IHCC program. "Coming to Indian Hills is an honor," she said. "To be able to coach in the same conference that I formerly played in gives me a great sense of pride. Indian Hills has everything it needs to make a successful and competitive program. We have great facilities to help these athletes develop their game and help them reach the next level."

"My plans for the program are to work with athletes to get them ready to step into four-year programs and make a difference. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given and I look forward to a competitive future with this program."

Gale owns a diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Goalkeeping level 2 diploma from the NSCAA; she also has level 1 and 2 certification from the Federation International Football Association (FIFA); and the new IHCC coach holds an E license from the United States Soccer Federation and is working on her D license with that organization.

Gale becomes the first full-time women's coach for the Indian Hills program that began play in 2007. Previously, the college had one head coach for both the men's and women's teams.

The IHCC head coach can be reached at Stephanie.Gale@indianhills.edu or 319-529-7641.