Playing in its first United Women’s Soccer (UWS) season this year, New York Surf Soccer Club has put together a well-balanced roster that features players who excelled at both the youth and collegiate levels. Among those difference makers is forward Erica Murphy, who arrives at NY Surf following a standout college career at Monmouth and Rutgers University.
“We are very fortunate to have such a talented roster for our inaugural season in United Women’s Soccer, and Erica is someone who has the ability to be an impact player for us,” said Michele Canning, NY Surf head coach. “Erica is a dangerous player in the final third, and we look forward to her creating chances for herself and her teammates.”
A native of Millstone, N.J., Murphy played her high school soccer for Pennington Prep and led them to four Prep A championships, registering 62 goals and 21 assists during her high school career. She was named to the ESPN New Jersey First Team, also receiving Player of the Year accolades from the Trenton Times and the Trentonian. The Red Raiders went 61-5 while Murphy was on campus, and they were ranked the no. 1 team in the nation by ESPN Rise over four consecutive weeks in 2011.
At the club level, Murphy played for PDA Celtic, winning the 2010 New Jersey State Cup championship. Additionally, she was a four-year member of the New Jersey Olympic Development Program (ODP) and helped her home state win an ODP championship.
After a stellar youth career, Murphy then opted to play at Monmouth University on the Jersey Shore. Over three seasons there, she made 37 starts over 58 appearances while recording 26 goals and four assists. The two-time All-MAAC recipient tallied 16 goals as a junior in 2015, which was the highest mark at the program since 1998. For her senior campaign, Murphy transferred to Rutgers University to complete her college career. In her one season in Piscataway, she finished third on the Scarlet Knights with four goals and also added an assist to the offensive stat sheet.
Following the completion of her college career, Murphy opened the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason with Sky Blue FC after head coach Christy Holly gave her an invitation into camp. Her experience in that professional environment paid clear dividends in the development of her game, which she has since been applying on the field this season for NY Surf.
Murphy and NY Surf will return home to SUNY Maritime College this Saturday, June 3, to host the New England Mutiny in a battle for the top of the UWS Eastern Conference Table. SUNY Maritime College is located at 6 Pennyfield Avenue in the Bronx, and kickoff for that match is set for 4:30 p.m.
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