Santa Rosa, CA – Santa Rosa United (SRU) proudly announces the appointment of a Girls’ Coaching Director, and a Boys’ Coaching Director.  SRU is also emphasizing the college experience for players by adding a College Recruiting Coordinator and hiring additional coaches with extensive college coaching success.   These additional coaches further strengthen the SRU commitment to College Soccer and providing opportunities for it’s players to achieving college placements. 

Girl’s Coaching Director - Emiria Salzmann - brings strong leadership and exceptional organization and tactical knowledge to the new Santa Rosa United structure.  She has a successful background coaching women soccer players at a high level.  Currently she coaches the women’s semi-professional team, Sonoma County Sol in the WPSL, the highest league in the country.  She also serves as Women’s’ Head Coach at the Santa Rosa Junior College and as Head Coach for Santa Rosa United’s  U18 girls’  Earthquakes.  Prior to that, she served as the Assistant Coach for Sonoma State Women’s Team, and for 3 years as an Assistant Coach at the Division I Big West Conference Long Beach State Women’s Team.  Emiria also had an extremely successful playing career at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University , where she still holds the single season scoring record.  She also played semi-professionally and abroad.  

Boy’s Coaching Director - Dave Shaffer - brings 25 years of soccer experience to Santa Rosa United, with coaching experience at all levels from high school to professional.  Currently Dave is Assistant Women’s’ Coach at Sonoma State and Head Coach for Santa Rosa United’s under 16 girl’s Thunder and under 15 boys’ Vasco.  As the Head Coach for the men at Montgomery High School from 1996 to 2004, Shaffer led the Vikings to three NCS titles and posted a record of 161-49-14.  A two-time California Coach of the Year and four-time Redwood Empire Coach of the Year, Shaffer also had coaching stints at Cardinal Newman High School, Santa Rosa JC, and with numerous club and pro teams such as the Sonoma County Sol and North Bay Breakers.  As a player, Dave earned All-Conference honors at Santa Rosa Junior College (1982-83) and Sonoma State .  He also played professionally both in the and in Europe .  

College Recruiting Coordinator - Chris Ziemer - rejoins the club bringing his multitude of experience and savvy to SRU.  He is a Former Director of Coaching for the Club and served as its first full-time Director.  Chris implemented the original College Placement Program, which has had over 150 alumni playing at a variety of levels across the .  Currently he serves as the Athletic Director and Head Coach for Girls’ soccer at Sonoma Academy .  As a player, Chris played at Sonoma State University where he was MVP of NCAC Conference, SSU Athlete of the Year, 4 time All-Conference, and 4 time All-Region.  He also played professionally both in the and in Europe .  

Luke Oberkirch -  rejoins SRU and adds collegiate coaching experience to the coaching staff .  He is in his 14th season as head coach of the women’s soccer team at Sonoma State University .  In 2007, the Seawolves went 10-7-2, reaching double digits in victories for the 17th time in the last 20 years.    In his thirteen complete seasons, Oberkirch has guided his team to six first place finishes, including four in the CCAA’s North Division and two in the Northern California Athletic Conference. Luke is coaching the under 14 girls’ Avalanche. 

Marcus Ziemer - brings additional college coaching experience to the coaching ranks.  Knowledge of the game as well as player development experience through his coaching and camps enhance Santa Rosa United’s coaching staff.  He is currently in his 18th season as head coach of the Sonoma State Men’s Soccer team. In 2007, Ziemer’s Seawolves turned in an amazing season, highlighted by a school-record 17 game winning streak and the first perfect record in the conference in seven years.  Marcus was named the CCAA Coach of the Year for the second straight year in 2007.  It was the sixth conference coach of the year honor for him since taking the helm in 1991.  He also added Far West Region Coach of the Year honors for the second time.   Under Marcus, the Sonoma State men’s soccer team has won a National Title, six conference titles and has a record of 169-56-15 in conference play.  Marcus is coaching the 2007 Calnorth State Finalist, under 17 boys’ Boca Jrs.