2015 Men's Premier Division Champions

Santa Clara Werrira wins 2015 ERSFNA Men's Premier Division Championship

Team Santa Clara Werrira is the champion of the prestigious 30th Annual ERSFNA Adult Men’s Premier Division Soccer Tournament. Santa Clara completed an astounding accomplishment by winning back to back championships in 2014 and 2015. Santa Clara started off the 2015 tournament by participating in the very competitive Group A. Group A consisted of Santa Clara Werrira, San Francisco Erki, Seattle Chided, and the Bay Area Alena. 

On the opening day of competition, Santa Clara started group play with a 2-0 victory over Seattle. Santa Clara was able to strengthen their likelihood to advance from group play by defeating Bay Area Alena 4-0 on the second day of soccer activity. In the third and final game of group play, Santa Clara lost to San Francisco as a result of a forfeit during the first half of the game. Werrira finished 2nd place in Group A and earned a spot in the quarterfinals against Anaheim – Orange County. Santa Clara started the quarterfinal matchup with great execution and scored three quick goals. Anaheim continued to battle and was able to score a goal before half-time. Santa Clara won the quarterfinal match 5-1. 

The upcoming Semi-Final game against London Lebi was a highly anticipated matchup. Santa Clara was leading the game 1-0 as the game was heading down the stretch. With less than 15 minutes left in the game, London earned two back to back penalty kicks and scored two quick goals within minutes. Santa Clara was facing elimination until they also received a penalty kick within the remaining moments of regulation. This exciting game went to overtime tied 2-2. London held a 3-2 lead towards the end of the 2nd overtime period and as they did at the end of regulation, Santa Clara was able to tie the game by scoring in the last 5 minutes of overtime. The overtime period ended 3-3 and Santa Clara won the penalty shootout, with outstanding performace by the goalkeeper Aron Tekle, the 2015 MVP and one of several talented Norway players who represented Werrira,  against London to advance to their third consecutive championship game.

The Championship game featured two teams that have had great involvement and representation within ERSFNA. Alexandria Keren was seeking to dethrone the defending champions, Santa Clara Werrira. Although Santa Clara defeated Alexandria 3-0, the game was highly competitive and the score was not reflective of how well Alexandria played. However, Santa Clara just proved to be too strong and was able to win the 2015 Championship. Congratulations Santa Clara Werrira!