Preseason honors for Crockett

Fordham University senior defensive back James Crockett was named Honorable Mention Preseason All-America by the College Sporting News. This is the second preseason All-America honor received by Crockett who was also was given the accolade from Phil Steele’s College Football Preview. Crockett, who will serve as a captain for the second consecutive year, moves from linebacker to safety this season.

“We wanted to put another player who can make plays in the secondary,” Rams coach Tom Masella said. “James is a heck of a football player, but more than that we need his leadership at the position.”

Last year, Crocket started all 11 games at outside linebacker, earning Second Team All-Patriot League honors for the second consecutive season. Crockett was second on the team with 67 total tackles, 39 solo, including 7.5 for loss and two sacks. He also intercepted a pass and broke up five others and led the Patriot League with three forced fumbles, while ranking 17th in total tackles. Over his three-year career, Crockett has compiled 155 total tackles, 92 solo, including 14 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also has four career interceptions and 10 pass deflections.

Crockett is part of a defense that has come together quickly during training camp. It again displayed that it has the knack of creating turnovers in the second scrimmage of camp at Murphy Field Saturday.

In the first scrimmage it was fumble recoveries for the defense, which recovered five, while in the second time around the squad picked off four passes, though the offense answered with three touchdowns and two field goals.

“We played better on both sides of the ball today,” Masella sad. “The offense made some big plays and found the end zone and the defense continued to force turnovers.”

Fordham will open the season on Sept. 5 on the road again Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m.

Track & Field

Pompey breaks Guyana record: Manhattan College alum Aliann Pompey, who graduated in 1999, placed fourth in her semi-final heat and 11th overall in the semis in the 400 meters Sunday at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin. Pompey, who ran in a difficult lane 8, finished in a time of 50.71 to set the Guyana national record in the event.

“That was an outstanding effort from Aliann and she keeps getting better and better,” said Joe Ryan, Manhattan’s assistant track and field coach and a national team coach for Guyana. “She, as well as Jake Freeman who finished 15th yesterday in the hammer throw at the meet, have done Manhattan proud at the World Championships.”

Men’s Soccer

Red Storm soccer top Layfayette: Junior Adam Himeno tallied three goals, all in the first half, to lead the St. John’s men’s soccer team past Lafayette, 4-0, in an exhibition game at Belson Stadium Saturday. Sophomore Walter Hines also added a goal, tallying early in the second half. Senior Derby Carrillo and redshirt freshman Nunzio Belfiore split time in net to combine of the shutout.