ECNL Girls Playoffs 2025: National Champs crowned, Finals spots booked on Day 6

SAN DIEGO, CA – After a season full of games and a final week filled with highly competitive action between the top U18/19 teams in the country, Slammers FC HB Køge and Penn Fusion SA were the last two teams left standing as they took the field for the 2025 ECNL U18/19 National Championship at Surf Cup Sports Park in San Diego.

Both sides came out attacking in the opening half, highlighted by chances from Slammers’ Ayva Jordan and Penn Fusion’s Lydia Thornton, but the two very strong defensive sides were both able to limit the chances from the opposition.

Penn Fusion nearly grabbed the opening goal late in the first half on shots from Keira Kemmerley and Ashley Economopoulos, but both attempts narrowly failed to find the back of the net.

Just before halftime though, it was Slammers who were able to break through for the opener. Kai Tsakiris dribbled into the box and was able to draw a penalty just as she did to help open the scoring in Slammers semifinal match. Jordan then stepped up and calmly fired the penalty home to put Slammers up 1-0 going into the half.

In the second half Slammers quickly grabbed their second. Jordan got the ball to the top of the box and ripped a left footed shot into the back of the net to double Slammers lead just 25 seconds into the half.

“Going into the second half I really wanted to help my team out and get another one on the board because anything can happen in soccer,” Jordan said. “I touched inside and was going for a bender, and I don’t even know how it happened but I just hit a knuckleball, it went over, and I just started going crazy.”

With Penn Fusion down two goals they pushed hard in the second half to cut into Slammers lead. Slammers had to defend for their lives against the Penn Fusion offensive push, as they earned multiple corners throughout the second half, but Slammers continued to hold strong defensively.

In the 86th minute, with Slammers still leading 2-0, Kemmerley fired a shot that was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Jordan Perry to keep her clean sheet intact.

Despite Penn Fusion’s valiant efforts to fight their way back in the match, it was Slammers day. As the final whistle blew, the Slammers bench rushed out onto the field as the newly crowned 2025 ECNL U18/19 National Champions.

The win marked the second ECNL National Championship for the Slammers FC HB Køge 2007 team, as they also claimed the U15 ECNL National Championship in 2022. It also marked the second time in three years that Slammers FC HB Køge has won the U18/19 ECNL National Championship, as well as the fifth straight season that Slammers has captured at least one ECNL Girls National Championship.

With her two goals in the match and four goals to lead Slammers throughout the U18/19 Champions League, Jordan was named the Player of the Match following the victory.

“I’m grateful. I couldn’t have done it without my team. We’ve been working so hard for this,” Jordan said.

While her goal scoring contributions were critical for Slammers in winning the National Championship, Jordan also talked about the importance of contributing defensively, and making sure that the whole team was bought in on the defensive side of the ball.

“We fight for each other,” Jordan said. “These girls defended until the last minute so I just tried to do my job and my part to help them out.”

Two years ago, Slammers came up a goal short in an all-time 6-5 National Championship against Solar SC. Jordan was outstanding in that game, completing a hat trick in the first 60 minutes, but the loss ultimately left her and her teammates with something to prove.

Jordan said winning the National Championship this time around was not only the fulfillment of a dream, but also proved to her and the entire team that they were good enough to be crowned National Champions one more time.

“To me this means everything. This has been my dream as a little girl. Two years ago we lost in the National Championship and my goal has been to come back to this stage and really prove to myself that I can do it,” Jordan said. “To the girls it’s everything. This was our proving ground. We came into this sitting 15th. A lot of people weren’t expecting us to get this far, so I’m just beyond proud of them.”

Headed to Richmond

While the U18/19 Champions League wrapped up on Tuesday, eight teams from each of the U16 and U17 Champions League took their next step toward an ECNL National Championship, punching their tickets to Richmond in the Round of 16 knockout stage.

The games were highly competitive throughout the day with five of the 16 games needing penalties to find a winner, while another five were decided by just one goal.

U17 Tickets Punched

Michigan Hawks (defeated World Class FC 3-2)
XF Academy (defeated FC Dallas 6-1)
Slammers FC HB Køge (defeated Slammers FC 2-0)
PDA Blue (advanced on PKs over Penn Fusion SA 0-0 (4-2))
Real Colorado National (advanced on PKs over Solar SC 2-2 (7-6))
NC Courage (defeated SLSG Navy)
Sting Black (defeated Bethesda SC 3-0)
VDA (defeated Eagles SC 3-2)

U16 Tickets Punched

Penn Fusion SA (advanced on PKs over Match Fit Academy 1-1 (4-1))
Kansas City Athletics (defeated PDA Blue 6-2)
San Diego Surf (defeated Sting Royal 2-0)
Utah Royals FC-AZ (defeated Solar SC 3-2)
MVLA (advanced on PKs over Legends FC 1-1 (4-2))
Richmond United (advanced on PKs over FC Dallas 2-2 (3-2))
Beach FC (CA) (defeated San Juan SC 3-2)
XF Academy (defeated Albion Hurricanes FC 2-1)

North American Cup & Showcase Cup

Four more trophies were also handed out on Tuesday as the winners of the North American Cup and Showcase Cup A were decided in the U16 and U17 age groups.

U17 North American Cup: DKSC defeated Utah Royals FC-AZ 5-1
U16 North American Cup: Gretna Elite Academy defeated Ohio Elite SA 2-0
U17 Showcase Cup A: Washington Premier defeated Placer United 1-0
U16 Showcase Cup A: Marin FC defeated LV Heat Surf on PKs 3-3 (4-2)

For a full look at the ECNL Girls National Playoffs, including scores, schedules and more, click here.