Saint Louis - The Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Girls Division is proud to announce its ECNL Coaching line-up for the 2022-23 season. SLSG’s Program Director, Scott McDoniel, who also coaches in the platform, feels that the 21/22 season was a huge success and that the ECNL program as a whole is only going to continue to improve. “The SLSG ECNL platform, which includes two full programs in Navy and Green, is actually quite enormous. It truly takes a village; staff, managers, parents, and of course players who must collectively work in the same direction. I believe that’s exactly how year one has evolved. I also believe that with the playoffs and the new fall season approaching, we will only become stronger. The hard work, trust, and loyalty from a lot of really good people is what allows us to sit in in a great place right now.” That place is incredibly positive with two very strong programs in Navy and Green, a staff that rivals any club in the MW Conference, and a total of seven teams qualifying for post season play in Seattle this June. Ralph Richards, ECNL Director and coach, feels both programs are headed in a collective direction, “We [Girls Division & Staff] are really pleased with the performances of our teams. Navy has qualified five teams for the Champions League which is always special. And, at the same time, the Green Program has shown growth in their game each day they take the field and had success against top clubs in our conference, resulting in the U16's and U17's qualifying for Seattle."

In 2022/23 Richards will once again take the lead as the ECNL Director and will take charge of the Navy teams at 2007, 2006, and 2004/5. The balance of the Navy teams, 2010, 2009, and 2008 will be coached by McDoniel. And just as it has been for the past four years, Jeff DiMaria and Jim McPherson will support and be working with the Navy squads. The Green Program coaching line up will be similar to this past year with Shawn Hewitt being the lead voice at the 2007, 2006, and 2004/5 ages and Kelsey Dinges coaching the younger three squads of 2010, 2009, and 2008. The two will be joined by a club favorite, Jarius Holmes. Jarius, still serving as the ECNL RL-IL Director in 2022, will be an assistant coach to Hewitt and Dinges as well as begin to work with Brian Woodward as a goalkeeping coach and trainer for the Green Program. 

 Woodward, who coached both the 2007 Navy and Navy Goalkeepers last year, will move completely into the Goalkeeping world as the Director of Goalkeeping for the ECNL Program. “Brian has been afforded several opportunities this year, such as being involved in ECNL National Selection Game Coaching Staffs as a goalkeeping coach on multiple occasions,” said Richards. “He has a true passion for developing goalkeepers and wants to focus his time on growing as a coach and trainer in this facet of the game, and of course, as a club we want to help him do so.” Woodward will work directly with both the Navy and Green programs. He will be heavily involved in all session and development planning inside of the ECNL Goalkeeper Program, as well as training and game schedules.

 The ECNL Program will be adding at least one more new staff member in Derek Zuniga. Zuniga, who is the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Maryville University, has worked in the ECNL platform prior to this year, but as a member of the SLSG Boys ECNL staff. Derek has already started working with the girls this spring, contributing to training with Navy, Green, the Super Cup team, and the UWS squad. He will continue with the programs in the fall as a part-time staff member working with all ages and levels.

“I couldn’t be happier with the staff the club has assembled,” said Richards. “The additions of Jarius and Derek bring youth, energy, and passion to an already experienced staff. The focus that Brian can now put into the GK’s is essential and the fact he will have Jarius working with him will make us even more effective in developing that position. And the experience that Shawn, Kelsey, and Scott bring with the help of Jim and Jeff will enable us to provide a great environment for these families.”

The Playoffs in Seattle Washington will begin June 22, 2022. Keep an eye on the club's social media outlets for updates on the program's results. The new season, 2022/23 will start August 1, 2022 after a short break for the teams in July. For information on the ECNL you can visit ecnlgirls.com or connect with SLSG ECNL Director Ralph Richards at rrichards@slsgsoccer.com