The Cranford High School Cougars girls soccer team capped a remarkable 2025 campaign with a 15‑4‑1 record, securing spots in both the county and sectional state championship finals. Their run through the Union County Conference highlighted a season that ended with a second‑place finish in the Mountain Division and a narrow loss to Chatham in the North 2, Group 3 final.
Head coach Kerry Yorkanis, who earned North 2 Coach of the Year honors, will see a core group return for 2026. Seniors Ava Cao and juniors Isabella Reibarkh and Lillian Friedman are slated to lead the squad, while the team’s first official practice is scheduled for August 17.
A Promising Outlook for the Cougars
The Cougars open the new season on September 3 against Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, a matchup that promises fresh excitement after a 2‑0 defeat in the Union County Tournament championship. Yorkanis’s four‑year tenure has produced a 47‑25‑6 record, underscoring steady progress since her arrival.
With a schedule that includes contests against Westfield, Scotch Plains‑Fanwood, and other traditional rivals, the Cougars aim to translate early momentum into a deeper playoff run. The upcoming season offers a chance to build on the foundation laid by a team that consistently competed at the highest level in the state.
Fans and alumni alike are eager to see how the returning talent will mesh with new strategies, and the community looks forward to cheering the Cougars toward another successful year.