UWS Spotlight With New York Surf’s Erica Murphy
New York Surf’s Erica Murphy remains an important piece of the puzzle for the first-year UWS side. Following a standout collegiate career, Murphy has used her recent experience with affiliate club Sky Blue FC to continue her development on the pitch.
UWS News: Playing in its first United Women’s Soccer (UWS) campaign this year, New York Surf Soccer Club has put together a well-balanced squad that features players who excelled at both the youth and collegiate levels. Among those difference makers is forward Erica Murphy, who arrived at NY Surf following a standout collegiate 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 career at Pennington Prep, leading the team to four Prep A championships while registering a total of 62 goals and 21 assists. 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 country 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. She was a four-year member of the New Jersey Olympic Development Program (ODP) and helped her home state claim 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 recorded 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 with four goals and also tallied an assist.
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 invited her into camp.
Murphy and NY Surf will return home to SUNY Maritime College this Saturday, June 3, to host the New England Mutiny in a matchup for the top of the UWS Eastern Conference Table. SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, and kickoff for that match is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.
