Inaugural Season Of Cranford Girls Hockey Team Off To A Strong Start

CRANFORD, NJ — This winter marks the inaugural season for the Cranford High School Girls Ice Hockey program, and the team is off to a strong start.

While the team lost at Princeton last week in their first game, the girls won their first home opener in their inaugural season on Friday, Dec. 16 defeating Morristown Beard JV squad with a score of 8-2. You can watch the full game on YouTube here.

The newly-formed team features a roster of 30 girls committed to "blazing a path to grow the sport in the community for future generations of female hockey players," a press release states.

Girls’ hockey is among the fastest-growing youth sports in the United States.

"In the 2018-19 season, more girls and women participated in ice hockey than ever before with nearly 83,000 lacing up the skates. Over the past 10 years, girls and women's hockey participation has grown by 34 percent," the press release states.

The idea for a CHS girls team started with Emerson Murphy, a lifelong Cranford resident, and current high school freshman. She has been playing competitive travel hockey since the age of seven and wanted the chance to play for her town.

Led by CHS Athletic Director, Darren Torsone and Head Coach, Richard Hurley, the team has the support of coaches, volunteers, parents and the community.

The girls also played Westfield at the Prudential Center on Monday as part of a fundraiser.

All tickets must be purchased in advance. Ticketing information can be found here.