CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Veteran women's collegiate soccer coach Jonathan Meade has been chosen as the new head coach of the Lady Jackets.

The announcement was made by Cedarville University Athletic Director Dr. Alan Geist, who introduced Meade to the team late this afternoon.

"We are excited to add a coach with Jonathan's experience and past success to our program." Geist stated. "Throughout the interview process, his desire to serve Christ and see his student-athletes achieve success in all areas of life was very evident.

"His understanding of other NCAA DII programs and what it takes to win in the Midwest Region will help to build on the success that we have already had."

Meade comes to the campus with 16 years of head coaching experience including the last eight at NCAA Division II Ohio Dominican University in Columbus where he guided the Panthers to a 78-37-16 record.

"I'm really honored and humbled to be given this opportunity," said Meade, who becomes CU's third head coach in the 19-year history of the women's soccer program. "It's a wonderful place and I'm really impressed. It's a growing and thriving campus that's very alive.

Meade inherits a Lady Jacket team that posted a 13-5-4 record in 2015 and graduates ten seniors. Cedarville won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference crown and earned the league's first-ever NCAA Tournament bid.

"I'm especially humbled to come in after a Cedarville legend and icon, John McGillivray, who's someone I've looked up to for many years," Meade added. "He really impacted me as a young coach and even when I played in college.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to work with such a great group of young ladies plus the faculty and staff here at the University."

Meade led Ohio Dominican to a record-setting 15-5-1 record in 2014. The Panthers won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title and achieved a bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to his stint at ODU, Meade started the women's soccer program at his alma mater, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He coached the Cougars from 2000-08 posting a 134-61-7 record including a 20-3-1 slate in 2003.

Meade is a 1995 graduate of MVNU where he was a four-year letter winner on the men's soccer team. Jonathan and his wife, DeAnn, are the parents of three daughters.