Saints Rocket League win back-to-back CRL North American Championships

St. Clair College continues to make history, winning back-to-back Collegiate Rocket League (CRL) Championships.

The Saints entered the CRL Fall Championship's Top 4 playoffs as the #2 seed this past weekend where they took on the best programs in North America as they defended their Spring 2025 crown.

In the semifinals, the Saints took down Concord University in a dominating 4-0 sweep where they only allowed 1 goal against in the series. In the upper finals, the Saints continued to be a force as they knocked Winthrop University to the lower bracket with a 4-1 series win.

Winthrop returned to take on the Saints in the Grand Final. In a tightly contested contest, the Saints went on to secure the 4-3 series win capped off by a Game 7 overtime goal by Ario “Arju” Berdin. With the victory, St. Clair College joins the University of Akron and Northwood University as the only programs to achieve back-to-back CRL North American Championship wins since its inception in 2017.

“Winning a singular North American championship of this caliber is an exceptionally difficult feat that only a small group of programs could ever hope to achieve,” said Esports Director Shaun Byrne. “With the level of play improving at a rapid pace, to do it back-to-back will be almost impossible to replicate moving forward. This team and their achievements are truly historic.”

The CRL Fall Championship is the culmination of the season that started with over 250 schools across Canada, the United States and Mexico competing. The Fall Championship broadcast was seen by over 6,300 unique viewers.

Saints Rocket League

James Janzen - Delmenhorst, DE
Nicolas Steinhauser - Vienna, AUT
Fabian Buß - Bocholt, DE
Ario Berdin - Vicenza, ITA

Head Coach Yusuf Naebkhil - Windsor, ON
Assistant Coach Luca Paparatti - Milano, ITA