St. Louis, MO (June 5, 2020) - St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club and the Girls Division are both proud and humbled by last month's STL High School Sports article unveiling of the All-Decade Girls Soccer Teams. The article celebrated the High School soccer careers of some of the most successful and influential players from both Missouri and Illinois High School programs.

Of the 33 players selected for First, Second, and Third Team All-Decade, 21 players came from the St. Louis Scott Gallagher family. The article, which detailed the career statistics of the players, indicated that from the 21 players selected of the St. Louis Scott Gallagher family, 1,172 goals were scored, 679 assists were credited, and 85 shutouts had been amassed throughout the decade.

Throughout the 21 St. Louis Scott Gallagher players selected, five earned Third Team All-Decade honors while six players earned Second Team All-Decade honors. Ten of the eleven players named to the First Team All-Decade came from the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Girls program as well. Additionally, St. Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL Alumni, Anna Lawler was named "Player of the Decade", as the only player to twice be named Post-Dispatch All-Metro Player of the Year during her High School career. 

Lawler, a Rockwood Summit alumni, and six-year member of the St. Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL program discussed what it meant to her to be named the ‘Player of the Decade’. “I am very honored to be named the Player of the Decade. I had a great four years playing club and high school soccer.” Lawler, who now plays at Saint Louis University, made the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team this past season. She has always appreciated being able to represent the St. Louis area for both High School and Club. “Being able to play in front of my community is something so special and a feeling I’ll never forget.” 

Lawler credits the support from both her Rockwood Summit coaches as well as her St. Louis Scott Gallagher coaches for her success in both arenas. “Without the support from my club coaches to play high school soccer and the support I received from my high school team and coaches, I [would have] never received this award. I had a great experience playing both club and high school soccer.”

Current MSHSAA and SLSG-ECNL Athlete, Grace Bindbeutel has also experienced tremendous success in both the High School and Club Arena. Bindbeutel, who represents St. Dominic High School, is another High School State Champion within the SLSG ECNL program. She explained what it means to her to be able to compete in both the High School and Club environment. “Having the opportunity to play both club soccer and high school soccer helps me grow as a player in different competitive environments and strengthens my love for the game”. 

For Bindbeutel, the ability to play with both groups has been one of her favorite aspects of her career thus far. “Playing with both groups allows me to further my exposure and develop connections with more athletes and coaches”. Bindbeutel, who was named a MSHSAA All-State and All-Region Player of the Year last year, appreciates both environments and the growth she has continued to experience in each. “I was extremely humbled and honored to have been named All-State Player of the Year and I know that I have both my club and high school coaches to thank for pushing me to be the player I am today.”

Director of Coaching for the SLSG Missouri Girls Program, Scott McDoniel, had this to say about St. Louis Scott Gallagher’s representation, “Well, I’m incredibly excited to see so many of our SLSG girls on the list.  These young ladies recognized, all of them, are/were amazing players.  And when thinking of the former SLSG players listed, I think it proves that there is a positive collaboration between the club and our area high school coaches and their programs.  [SLSG] has always felt strongly about the girls being able to represent their school community by playing the game they love, and I honestly don’t see that changing any time soon.”