Saint Louis - With year two in the books, the Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Girls Division is proud to announce its ECNL Regional League - Missouri (SLSG ECNL RL-MO) Coaching line up for  the 2022-23 season. SLSG’s Program Director, Scott McDoniel continues to grow increasingly optimistic with the entire Regional League platform.  “This year, our ECNL RL-MO Program has reached new levels.  The entire coaching staff has created a strong culture amongst players, parents, and coaches off the field and as a result all involved are finding more success on the field.” ECNL Director, Ralph Richards could not agree more.  "I’m just really impressed with what the RL program has accomplished in Missouri. We had five teams reach the RL playoffs, three reach the final, and two qualify for Nationals in Seattle.  Not to mention two teams winning State Cup.”  As a result of the positive culture that has been created and success on the field, each team has seen an influx of players from both inside and outside of the club.  Maggie Richard, SLSG ECNL RL-MO Director can’t wait for the new season. “I think the fact that we have had multiple players promoted to our ECNL program reflects that the program is doing something very right.  And then at the same time, the roster in each age group has never been so deep in numbers and talent.  We are definitely headed in a positive direction. 

In 2022/23 Richard, a former SLSG ECNL player herself, will once again take the lead as the SLSG ECNL RL-MO Director.  In addition to that role, she will take charge as Head Coach of the older teams at 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2004/5.  The balance of the programs teams, 2010, 2009, will be coached by SLSG Vice President, Steve Pecher.  A new member of the staff will be the program’s very own goalkeeping coach, Erin Roth.  Roth, a UMKC graduate and player, is also a former ECNL player with the club, tending goal for the 97/98 team that was hugely successful.  “Erin has incredible passion for working with kids and for teaching the goalkeeping position.” stated McDoniel, who coached Roth during her years in the club.  “She is heavily invested in seeing the RL-MO program succeed and her knowledge and experience at the position will be a huge benefit to those keepers and the platform as a whole.” 

Pecher added, “We are incredibly humbled by the resources this program has been given to support its success. This current staff is a reflection of that support and the fact that SLSG has been able to add three young, former club players, who have been successful everywhere they’ve put on a jersey, just shows how important this program is to the club.”  The third, and newest alumni to be announced as staff for the RL - MO teams is Brandon Santel.  Santel is a former SLSG Academy player on our mens side of the club and a recent graduate of Saint Louis University where he played the past four years.  Brandon will be working alongside Richard with the four oldest teams in the program.  “We feel we have great staff, and to compliment all of them, we have support in assistant Jamie [Matlock] who will continue most of her work with the 08’s.” said Pecher, “ And really as important as it is to add good people to the coaching line up for this platform, it has to be the ‘right’ people we add, and we feel the club has done just that.”.

The ECNL 2022/23 season will start August 1, 2022 after a short break for the teams in July.  The Playoffs for several teams in Seattle Washington and Indianapolis Indiana will begin June 22, 2022.  Keep an eye on the club's social media outlets for updates on the program's results.  For information on the ECNL-RL platform you can visit ecnlgirls.com or connect with SLSG ECNL-RL Director Maggie Richard at mrichard@slsgsoccer.com.