Sports News from Bloomfield College

Bloomfield senior guard Ahmad Harris (Linden, NJ) has been named an Honorable Mention selection to the 2011-2012 Men's Basketball Preseason All-America Team, in results released by Sporting News Magazine. 

One of the premier on-ball defenders in the nation, the 5'9 Harris concluded his junior campaign as one of the top point guards in Division II basketball, finishing second in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.86).  The  floor general earned second team All-Met and third team All-CACC honors in 2010-2011, helping guide the Deacons to their first CACC Tournament crown since 2006 and their first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight.  Harris averaged just over seven points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game, leading the Deacons with 66 thefts in 2010-2011. 

"Ahmad is one of the best point guards in the country, and it's great to see him get some recognition for what he does on the court," Bloomfield head coach Gerald Holmes said.  "What he does on the basketball floor is unbelievable.  The impact he has on the game can't be seen on the stat sheet.  He creates turnovers that are not credited to him, and he can impact the game in so many different ways.  He is truly a gamebreaker, and any awards he receives are well-deserved."

Bloomfield begins the defense of its East Regional crown on November 11, when they travel to Waltham, Massachusetts to take on Merrimack College at the Bentley University Invitational.  Tip-off for the opener is set for 6:00 PM.

WOMENS SOCCER

Bloomfield's women's soccer team fell to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in conference play Tuesday afternoon, as they dropped a 3-0 road decision to nearby rival Caldwell College. 

The Cougars got on the board in the 15th minute of play, when Julie Crankshaw beat Bloomfield keeper Robyn Burton (Capitol Heights, MD) to put Caldwell up 1-0.  The home team increased the lead to a pair of goals five minutes later, when Natalie Migoya finished a breakaway chance to put the Lady Deacons down 2-0. 

The Bloomfield attack was able to generate 10 shots and five shots on goal during 90 minutes of play, but proved unable to find the back of the net.  Caldwell added a third and final tally in the 83rd minute on Migoya's second goal of the afternoon, thwarting the Lady Deacons' comeback effort.  Forward Christine Rutherford (North Arlington, NJ) led the offensive effort for Bloomfield, totaling four shots and three shots on goal. 

"We played better in a lot of areas today, but the ball just didn't bounce our way," Lady Deacons head coach Katie Egan said.  "We have some things to build off of heading into the weekend, and we will continue to work as hard as we can to get back on track."

Bloomfield returns to action Saturday, September 17 with a road match against conference foe Chestnut Hill College.  Kickoff is set for 4:00 PM.

MENS SOCCER

Bloomfield's men's soccer team fell to 0-4 on the season and 0-1 in CACC play Wednesday evening, as they dropped a 3-1 road decision to Post University in the opening match of their 2011 conference schedule. 

A pair of goals by Eltany Morais in the early stages of the match stunned the visiting Deacons, putting Post on top 2-0 in the 15th minute of play.  Bloomfield would settle in defensively after the early barrage, yielding just four more shots over the final 30 minutes of the half.  Senior midfielder Juan Ramirez (Medellin, Columbia) brought the Deacons to within a goal with his second score of the season in the 43rd minute, finishing a pass from Momar Diop (Union City, NJ) to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The tally from Ramirez would prove to be Bloomfield's only strike, though, despite an offensive attack that produced eight shots on goal and three corner kick opportunities.  The Eagles were able to hold off the onslaught for the final 45 minutes of play, never yielding the equalizer the Deacons desperately sought.  A goal by Eno Francis in the 81st minute put the game out of reach for Bloomfield, leaving the visitors still in search of their first victory of 2011.

Claude Allen (Kingston, Jamaica), Terry Gibbs (London, England) and Ramirez each notched two shots on goal in the setback, while Cody Sherman (Denville, NJ) made three saves in net for the Deacons.

"We played better at points tonight, but we allowed two quick goals that proved to decide the game," Deacons head coach Peter-John Falloon said.  "We have to play a complete 90 minutes if we are going to be successful.  We are getting closer to where we want to be, and we have another crucial conference game coming up this Saturday, so we need to be prepared."

Bloomfield returns to action Saturday, September 17 with a road match against CACC foe Chestnut Hill College.  Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM.