Montclair High School Brings in Young, Familiar Face to Lead Girls Lacrosse

It was not long ago that the new Montclair High School girls lacrosse head coach was actually on the Woodman Field wearing the Mounties blue and white.
Emily Crane last carried her stick for Montclair in 2021 and her last game was against Ridgewood, a 20-9 loss in the North, Group 4 semifinals. 

Crane would move on and play four impressive seasons of lacrosse at Gettysburg College including her senior year where she was second on the team in goals and points with 59 and 77 respectively. She collected 168 goals and 48 assists for the Bullets in her four seasons. 

And she was part of the 2023 and 2025 Gettysburg teams that made it to the NCAA Division III title game and the NCAA Division III semifinal game respectively. In her senior year she helped lead Gettysburg to a 19-4 record and all the way to the NCAA Division III semifinals where they lost to Tufts. Crane had a pair of goals.

After graduating from Gettysburg in May, she wanted to continue her education and is working toward her master’s degree in Elementary Education at Montclair State University. And added that her long term goal is to be an elementary school team and to be a high school lacrosse coach. Crane coached last fall at Montclair State and found out about the job opening at Montclair High School for the head coach for the Mounties.
Crane Takes a Shot at Job Opening
“I actually found out about the opening at Montclair High School through parents in the community who let me know the position was available,” said Emily. “Once I heard about it, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue because Montclair means a lot to me as a former player.”

In choosing Crane in December and ratified by the school board in February, Montclair Athletic Director Matthew Belford said that she was picked for her ‘energy’ and local connection to the youth lacrosse programs.
“A former standout Mounties player who has tremendous energy and had great experience as one of Gettysburg all-time players,” said Belford. “A lot of positive energy about her hire and her connection to the lower levels to bring back the program’s storied tradition.”

With only 11 months from graduating at Gettysburg, she does understand that there could be skepticism of her leading a varsity team.

Coach: ‘Young and Fresh Out of College’

“I’m definitely aware that I’m young and fresh out of college, and it’s something I did think about when deciding to accept the job,” said Emily. “I understand that some people might question it at first, but for me it was an opportunity I felt ready to take on. I’ve been around this program and this community for a long time, and I care deeply about the team and what it represents.”

Crane takes over for Kim Depaolera who was her coach in her junior and senior seasons with the Mounties. The junior year though was cancelled because of COVID. Depaolera also was a young coach when she took over the reins at Montclair and Crane has talked to Depaolera about coaching.

“I’ve talked with her a bit while preparing for the season, mostly just discussing the experience of being a young coach and learning how to navigate the position, since she was also young when she first came to Montclair,” said Crane. “At the same time, I’ve tried not to get into too many specifics about the team because I want the chance to evaluate the players and build the program from my own perspective. That said, she’s someone I respect a lot, and I’m grateful to have her as a resource if I ever need advice during the season.”
Never Expected to be Montclair Head Coach

“Growing up when I played at Montclair High School, I never really imagined that one day I would come back as the head coach,” said Crane. “At the time I was thinking about my time there and my next steps for playing the sport. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be an elementary school teacher and coach lacrosse at the high school level, so it’s pretty incredible that this opportunity opened up right as I graduated (from Gettysburg). I think I always thought it would be cool to coach at Montclair High School, but never thought it would actually happen.”

In the fall she got a little taste of coaching on the college level nearby. “This past fall, I had the opportunity to help coach at Montclair State University, which was an incredible experience and a great way to stay involved in the game while learning more about coaching,” added Crane. “However, when the head coaching position opened up at Montclair High School, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Because of the timing and responsibilities that come with being a head coach, I had to step away from coaching at the college level, but I’m extremely grateful for that experience and everything I learned from it.”

And she said that it is that her ‘energy’ will be an asset for the Montclair girls lacrosse program.
“I also think that coming in with a lot of energy, passion, and a strong connection to the game can be really valuable for a program,” said the new head coach. “At the same time, I don’t see my age as something that holds me back. I just finished my lacrosse career at Gettysburg College, so I’m bringing a very recent playing perspective and a lot of knowledge from my experiences as a college athlete.”

Jim Crane, Deep Roots with Montclair

And one of her other attributes is her family’s connection with the town especially with her father Jim Crane, growing up in Montclair.

“Growing up in Montclair, you tend to stay connected to the community and the local sports programs,” said Crane. “My family also has deep roots in the area, my father (Jim Crane) grew up in Montclair as well, so we’ve always had connections with many of the lacrosse families in town. Because of that, I’ve gotten to know some of the players and their families over time, which makes coming back to coach at Montclair High School even more meaningful. It really feels like I’m giving back to a community and program that I’ve been around for most of my life.”

She added that because her sister, Meghan, was around for a few years at Montclair while she was at Gettysburg that she knows of a few of the members of the 2026 team. Meghan Crane is currently following in her sister’s footsteps and is a junior for Gettysburg College women’s lacrosse.

“I do know some of the girls on this year’s team,” added Crane. “A few of the seniors I’m familiar with because my younger sister, Meghan Crane, was a senior when they were freshmen, so I’ve known of them and followed their careers over the years.” 

Some of the top players back from a 5-13 team are goal scorers in junior Keira Griswold (20 goals), senior Anahi Mendez (15), senior Thea McGarry (12) and junior Delilah Nicoll (7). There is also the return of top goalie senior Sefina Morrison as well as the comeback of senior Hannah Rosenheck and sophomore Riley Hacking who suffered a torn ACL last season.

The Emily Crane era starts on April 1 at home against Columbia in the season opener.
She added that her background over the years, especially with success at Montclair and Gettysburg will bring a winning tradition for the Mounties that have a tough schedule every season. 

“I’ve learned from great coaches and teammates along the way, and now I’m excited to take those lessons and apply them in a coaching role,” said Crane. “I also hope that being closer in age makes me approachable for the players. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with questions, challenges, or anything they might be going through on or off the field. My goal is to support them, help them grow as athletes, and guide them in the right direction.”

https://montclairlocal.news/2026/03/montclair-high-school-brings-in-young-familiar-face-to-lead-girls-lacrosse/