The Pella Christian girls soccer team is looking to use a tough schedule to help them reach new heights as they get ready to begin the season later this week.

The Eagles, competing in Class 1A, will play 15 times this spring. Pella Christian’s schedule has them matched up against just seven other Class 1A squads, while also competing against six 2A teams and two 3A teams. While the schedule provides several challenges for the Eagles, head coach Matt Dowie says that it could be key to helping the team elevate their play.

“They are beneficial, as long as we can kind of keep the mental aspect of it for the girls. I think if they understand the value in seeing programs that are maybe good and tough games for us, like this is where we want to be and this is how they do things, can we do similar things to kind of get to that level.”

The Pella Christian girls soccer team begins the season on Friday with a 1 pm home, non-conference game against Albia.