A Look Back on 2009

As the year 2009 comes to a close, lets take time to look back on a very successful year in Fisher College Athletics. Both the Men's Basketball team and Baseball team captured Sunrise Conference titles and set themselves up to repeat in 2010. For now, here is a month by month breakdown of the 2009 year for Fisher College Athletics.

January

After a sub-par beginning to their season, the Men's Basketball team looked to right ship. Entering the month they were sitting at 6-9 after a tough non-conference schedule. Sophomore Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) returned to the team and along with Senior Brandon Hamilton (Sarasota, FL) led the Men's team to an 8-0 undefeated month. All 8 victories came against Sunrise Conference opponents, including a very impressive three game streak which saw the Men's team score 100+ points in each game.

February

After losing their first conference game, at home versus Maine-Fort Kent, the Men's basketball team rolled off 5 straight wins en route to clinching their first ever Sunrise Conference Regular Season title. As the number one seed in the Sunrise Conference Tournament, the Men's team beat the College of Saint Joseph's 97-80. Both Hamilton and Williams were named to the All Conference First team.

Senior Jessica DiCicco (Arlington, MA) recorded 4 double-doubles as the Fisher Women's Basketball team won 4 games and secured a spot in the conference tournament. They would eventually lose to Sunrise Conference Champion, Maine-Fort Kent in the semi finals. DiCicco was named to the All Conference First Team and Head Coach Troy Smith was named the Sunrise Conference Coach of the Year.

Both Baseball and Softball began their seasons in the month of Feburary. Baseball traveled down to the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, while the Softball team went to Savannah State in Georgia. Baseball would battle hard in all four games. They captured victory in game three as Senior Jarlin Gomez (Lawrence, MA) pitched 6 strong innings and sophomore Mark Dorso (Waterbury, CT) came in a stopped a USCB rally in the 7th for the save.

March

The Men's Basketball team faced off against rival Maine-Fort Kent in the Sunrise Conference Tournament Championship Game. After a hard fought back and fourth battle, Fisher came out on top and won their 4th tournament championship in 5 years. The victory secured the team a trip to Branson, MO for the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball tournament. They were paired up against the number one seed Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Fisher would battle hard despite being short handed and was only down by 9 at halftime. OKU would go on to win the game and eventually the tournament. The Fisher Men's Basketball team accomplished many first's in the season as they won more than 20 games for the first time in school history and also took home their first Regular Season title.

Baseball took its annual spring trip south, this time to Texas for the second consecutive year. Playing against tough competition, the Baseball team notched two wins against host University of Texas at Brownsville and also beat Valley City State University. When the team came back north, they rattled off six straight wins to finish off the month.

The Softball team made its spring trip to Cocoa Beach, FL where they would face some of the best competition during its 2009 season. Even though they didn't win a game, they learned how to battle and won 3 of their 5 games to close out the month.

April

Senior Tom Englehardt (Bradford, MA) and junior Edwin Pena (Union City, NJ) helped the Baseball team to two separate win streaks of 6+ games. With 17 wins in the month of April, the Baseball team took home its fifth straight Sunrise Conference Regular Season title and Sunrise Conference Tournament title. Englehardt was named Sunrise Conference Baseball Player of the Year (his third straight) and Head Coach Scott Dulin was named Sunrise Conference Baseball Coach of the Year. Senior Eddy Delcarmen (Boston, MA), junior Samuel Luciano (Union City, NJ), junior Patrick Shanahan (Haverhill, MA), junior Zack Thompson (Salem, MA), sophomore Kevin Ryan (Cheshire, CT), along with Englehardt and Pena were named to the All Conference Team.

Led by junior Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA), the Softball team would win five more games and face off against the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the Sunrise Conference Championship Series. In game one, Fisher dropped a heart breaker as they lost 10-9. UMPI would come out and win game two, ending the Softball season. Softball won 11 games, the first time in program history that its won more than 10 games. Also, Streeter finished with the highest batting average in the country (.577) and the highest slugging percentage in the country (.992). She also belted 10 home runs to lead the team and conference.

May

After winning their fifth straight Conference title, the Baseball team traveled to Greensburg, PA to play a three game series against KIAC Champion Brescia University. The winner advances to the National Regional Tournament. In game one, Shanahan dominated as he threw a complete game shutout. He allowed just 6 hits over the 9 innings. Offensively, Englehardt crushed a solo home run and scored all three runs as Fisher won 3-0 and took a 1-0 advantage in the series. Brescia would force a decisive game three as they took game two by a 8-1 score. Down 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth, with two men on base, Pena stepped up to the plate with two outs. He hit a deep fly to left field, which was caught on the warning track and the hard fought 2009 season came to an end. Englehardt was named as a NAIA All American Honorable Mention.

June

More success came from the Baseball team as Edwin Pena received an invitation to attend a tryout with the New York Yankees at the brand new New Yankee Stadium.

July

Baseball Pitcher Patrick Shanahan was selected to pitch for the Sag Harbor Whalers in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.

August

Anthony Perry (Andover, MA), a former Fisher Baseball legend, had a career day for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Against the Newark Bears on August 21st, Perry went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. He also played error less defense at first base as the Blue Crabs went on to win the game.

September

As the new school year began, so did a new chapter in Fisher Soccer. New Head Coach Ed Devereaux brought in a good recruiting class and they showed promise as they beat Sunrise Conference rival Paul Smiths College, 4-3, and then tied fellow conference opponent SUNY-Canton, 2-2. With a tough non-conference schedule, Fisher dropped its final 4 matches in the month.

October

Fisher Men's Soccer would win its 2nd game of the season, tying a program high, with an incredible last second win against College of Saint Joseph's, 2-1. With the game tied at 1, Fisher sent a cross toward the CSJ net. The ball bounced of a CSJ defender's leg and found the back of the net in the 89th minute.

November

To begin the month, the Fisher Basketball teams competed in the Hesser College Tournament. The Men's team took home the tournament title as they beat both Hesser College in the semis and Northern Maine CC in the finals. The women's team would fall to Briarcliffe College in the semis and then beat Hampshire College in the consolation.

On the 15th, Fisher Athletics celebrated its annual Fundraiser event. With the help of Major League Pitcher and World Series Champion Manny Delcarmen, Fisher Athletics held a triathlon at the Cottage Park Yacht Club in Winthrop, MA. This was not your normal triathlon, we substituted running, swimming and biking with bowling, darts and billiards. There was also the Manny Bowl in which contestants got a chance to bowl agianst Manny Delcarmen. To cap off the day, five former student-athletes were inducted into the Fisher College Athletics Hall of Fame. Those five inductees are Joey Eugenio '07, Kyle Van Offeran '07, Patrick Holland '07, and Marisa and Katilyn O'Leary '07.

Over the weekend of the 20th and 21st, the Fisher Men's Basketball team competed in the Roger Williams Tournament. In the opening game, Fisher fell just short of beating Trinity College . In the consolation game, the Men came out victorious over Lesley University. The Men closed out the month with a win over Nichols College.

December

The Men's Basketball team continued its winning ways, but it was not easy. They would win their first four games to start the month. In the Harold J. Brodie Tournament at Rochester Institute of Technology, Fisher was matched up against the host school. With 15 minutes left in the second half, the Men's Basketball team found themselves trailing by 22 points. Fisher would dig deep and go on an amazing 30 to 7 run to close the game and win 69-68. In the championship game, Fisher beat Fredonia State and was named Champions. They would go on to win their next game, at home versus MCLA, and end the first half of their season at 11-1. The best start in program history.

The women's team ended their first half of the season with an impressive win over Hesser College. Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) scored 22 points in the victory.

With all that happened in 2009, Fisher College Athletics looks forward to a better and more successful 2010. We hope that you and your families have a safe and wonderful New Year and we hope to see you in 2010!

Fisher Women capture 2nd win!

Beckman's 22 points helps pace the Fisher offense

#15 Tiffany Beckman

Roxbury, MA - The Fisher College Women's Basketball team returned to its winning ways as they beat future Sunrise Conference opponent Hesser College, 58-46. Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) continued to dazzle the home crowd as she scored a team high 22 points on the night. Also providing some big offensive help were a pair of seniors. Both Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) and Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) recorded double-doubles each, Streeter had 15 points, 11 rebounds and Wadhams had 14 points, 17 rebounds.

Fisher jumped out to an early lead to begin the game. Led by Beckman, they went on a 9-0 run to start and eventually got out to a 13 point lead half way through the opening frame. Hesser (4-9) would battle back as Quintina Young's (Junior from Portland, ME) layup tied the game at 23 with 4 minutes to play. The game would be tied up again at 26 until Wadham's field goal put Fisher up by 2 heading into halftime. For the 1st half, the shooting was about even with Fisher shooting at a 35.5% clip and Hesser at a 31.3% clip from the floor.

The second began as a low scoring affair as neither team could find its way to the basket. It wasn't until there were 7 minutes left when the action started up. At this point Fisher quietly pushed its lead to 10 points and Streeter's second three pointer of the season at 5:24 sealed the deal and gave Fisher a 13 point lead. Hesser would make it as close as 8 points but Fisher was just to strong in the end.

For Hesser College, junior Chrissi Zissi (Hudson, NH) led the Lady Blue Devils with 12 points and sophomore Whitney Hanks (Somersworth, NH) added 10 points. Young also pulled down 11 rebounds on the night.

Recently named Sunrise Conference Rookie of the Week, Darniesha Ruffin (Stoughton, MA) chipped in with 4 points to go along with her stellar defense. Senior Kianesha Dennis (Lynn, MA) also played well defensively as she recorded 5 steals in the game.

"It was a great team win," said Beckman. "we came back home (their previous 6 games were on the road) and got into a rhythm quickly. I had a good night but the big stars tonight are Jackie and Les (Streeter and Wadhams). They played tremendous. It feels good to get a win, but now we got to focus on Briarcliffe."

With the win, Fisher improves their overall record to 2-11. The women will return to action this Saturday afternoon when Briarcliffe College visits Madison Park Community Center. Game time is set for 12pm. In their previous battle earlier this season, Briarcliffe edged Fisher by a score of 62-58 in the opening round of the Hesser College Tournament.

Fisher Men roll to their 9th straight win

Hammond's 27 points helps Fisher improve to 11-1

#5 Christaan Hammond

Roxbury, MA - Off to their best start in school history, the Fisher College Men's Basketball team beat the visiting Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, tonight by a score of 85-71. Junior Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA) led the team with 27 points. Classmate Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) chipped in 16 points in the winning effort.

The game was close through the first 10 minutes of action, as Fisher held a slim 1 point lead at the 8:56 mark in the first half. Fisher then went on a 22 to 10 run to close out the half and take a 13 point lead into the locker room. For the half, Fisher shot 42.1% from the floor compared to MCLA's 40%.

In the second half, Fisher would expand its lead to 26 points behind Hammond who scored 11 of his 27 in the half. MCLA would make it close as they chipped away and brought its deficit to 14 when the final buzzer sounded.

This is Fisher's 11th win in 12 games and they will ride a 9 game winning streak into the holiday break. The Men's team will return to action on January 8th, 2010 at Madison Park Community Center. Tip off is scheduled for 5pm as they will take on Cooper Union College in game two of a womens/mens double header.

Fisher Men are Tournament Champions!

Louis Williams named the Tournament MVP

#23 Louis Williams

Rochester, NY - With a nail bitter finish, Fisher College beats Fredonia State 72-71 to win the 24th annual Harold J. Brodie Tournament at Rochester Institute of Technology.

With three seconds left on the clock and down by one, junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) inbounded the ball to classmate Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA). Hammond then dribbled down the lane and floated the ball towards the basket as the buzzer sounds. The ball goes through the hoop and Fisher College wins, 72-71.

In the first half, Fisher put up 42 points behind the hot hand of junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) who scored 14 of his team high 16 points. Fisher shot 51.9% in the half including 7 of 10 from behind the arc (Pursell was 4-5 from 3pt range in the half). However Fredonia State kept pace with the Fisher offense as they were only down by four, 42-38.

Fredonia caught fire in the second half as they shot an incredible 61.9% as a team. Fisher shot just 50% from the floor but made it when it counted. Julius Bryant made a layup with 0:16 on the clock to put Fredonia up by 1. Fisher then came down the floor and got a crucial out of bounds call to set up the inbounds play.

With the win, Fisher improves to 10-1 on the season and Fredonia State falls to 3-4. For Fisher College, Williams was named the Tournament MVP and junior Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) was named to the All Tournament Team.

Fisher will return to action on Tuesday night as they host Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at Madison Park Community College. Game time is set for 7pm.

Fisher Men advance to Championship Game, Women lose 9th straight

Facing adversity, Fisher overcomes huge deficit to advance to Championship Game

#23 Louis Williams

Rochester, NY - With 1:23 left on the clock in the first half, Rochester Institute of Technology's Scott Young and Adam Sweet drilled three consecutive three pointers to give the host an 11 point lead. That lead would blossom to 22 points at the 15:33 mark in the second half, after Young made another three pointer. It was at that point when the Fisher Men's Basketball team dug deep. Seemingly out of the game, Fisher would mount a monumental comeback. Juniors Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) and Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) took over and scored a combined 24 points in the second half as Fisher pulled off the unbelievable, beating the host school 69-68 in the Harold J. Brodie Tournament held at Rochester Institute of Technology.

In the first half, sophomore Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT) scored 10 of his 12 points to keep Fisher within striking distance. RIT held a slim 2 point lead until 1:23 left when Young and Sweet went to work.

Young continued right where he left off, in the first half, to begin the second half. He drilled three more three pointers to build the lead to 22. At that pivotal 15:33 mark, Fisher recommitted to the defensive basics and went on a 30-7 run to end the game. Fisher finally took the lead for good when senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) made a layup with 1:15 left on the clock. Fisher was not out of the woods yet, as they survived a frantic 45 seconds, which saw RIT miss a layup, three pointer and a jumper.

With the win, Fisher (9-1) advances to the championship game against Fredonia State, who beat Worcester State College 75-73 in the other semi-final game. Championship tip off is scheduled for 3pm.


2nd Half Problems lead Fisher Women to its 9th straight loss

Women lose to Rivier College, 65-40


Nashua, NH - This game was a story of two halfs for the the Fisher Women's Basketball team. From the start, the Lady Falcons came out shooting. Led by junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) and freshman Darneisha Ruffin (Stoughton, MA), Fisher was 50% from the floor and on their way to a 29-25 halftime lead. When the second half started, so did Rivier College (6-3). The Lady Raider's defense limited Fisher to just 11 points in the second frame while their offense shot 41.7% to take control of the game. Ruffin led the Lady Falcons with 12 points and Beckman chipped in 11 points. Senior Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) collected 7 rebounds and classmate Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) added 9 points.

With the loss, Fisher falls to 1-11 on the season. The Lady Falcons will look to finish their first half of the season on a winning note as they host both Hesser College (12/16) and Briarcliffe College (12/19) next week. Game times are 7pm and 12pm respectively.

The Struggles continue as the Fisher Women lose to Fitchburg State, 73-28

Fisher Women lose their 8th straight

Junior #15 Tiffany Beckman

Fitchburg, MA - Fitchburg State College's Kim Duprey led the way with 14 points as they defeat the visiting Fisher College Falcons, 73-28. The game was over from the start as Fitchburg State (4-4) jumped out to a 39-16 halftime lead. For Fisher College, junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) scored 10 points and collected 8 rebounds, both were team highs. The loss drops Fisher's overall record to 1-10 on the season. The women's team will look to right the ship in their next contest on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Nashua, NH and take on Rivier College.

Fisher Men beat Fitchburg State, 97-77

Pursell leads Fisher to another win by beating Fitchburg State, 97-77

Junior Casey Pursell

Roxbury, MA - Junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) made 10 of 15 shots as Fisher College improves to 8-1 with a 97-77 victory over Fitchburg State College. Purcell, who also made 3 three point attempts, finished the game with 24 points and 7 rebounds, both team highs. The other half of the "Seattle Connection", junior Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA) chipped in with 17 points on the night. Also contributing with double digit points were freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH), 16 points, and senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ), 10 points. Senior Juan Inoa (Methuen, MA) saw some action tonight and recorded 2 points and a rebound.

The Fisher Men's Basketball team will head off to the Harold J. Brodie Tournament this weekend. The tournament is being held at Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology. Fisher will play Saturday night at 8pm against RIT. The game can be heard live on WYSL 1040. Just go to www.wysl1040.com and click on listen live.

Fisher Men win, 87-77 / Women lose 77-37

Henry scores 18 as Fisher upends Wentworth, 87-77

#22 Ryan Henry

Boston, MA - Senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ), along with 4 other Falcons, score in double digits as Fisher beat Wentworth Insititute of Technology this afternoon, 88-77. Junior Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA) led all scorers with 20 points. Sophomore Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT), junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA), and junior Daniel Nance (Brooklyn, NY) were the other three Falcons recording double digits with 17 poitns, 12 points and 11 points respectively.

The game was a back and forth battle as the game was tied at 77 with 2 minutes left to play. Fisher would take the lead for good with 1:47 left as Hammond sunk two free throws. But the statement of the game came with 0:11 seconds left. Norford stole the ball and passed it down court to Henry. Henry then lept up and slam dunked the ball , making it a 10 point game.

With the win, Fisher improves its record to 7-1 while Wentworth drops to 2-4. Fisher will enjoy a couple days off as they get ready to take on Fitchburg State College on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 7pm at Madison Park Community Center.

Fisher Women fall to 1-9 with a 77-37 loss to Daniel Webster College

Nashua, NH - Four Daniel Webster College Eagles scored in double digits as they handed Fisher College its 9th loss of the season. For Fisher College, junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) led the team with 8 points. Seniors Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) and Kianesha Dennis (Lynn, MA) added 6 points and recently named Sunrise Conference Rookie of the Week, Darneisha Ruffin (Stoughton, MA) chipped in 6 points as well.

Fisher will look to rebound next Thursday as they travel to Fitchburg State College.

Fisher Men win, 93-84 - Women lose 66-45

Historic Night for Williams as Fisher beats Western New England, 93-84

#23 Louis Williams

Roxbury, MA - History was made tonight at Madison Park Community Center. It came within a minute left to play in regulation, when junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) drove down the left side and made a layup. He recorded his 26th point of the night and it also enshrined him in Fisher Basketball history as he became just the 4th member of the 1,000 point club. Williams joins Mike Newcombe, Steven "Solo" Perry and Stephen Rice in the prestigious club. On the night, Williams finished with 26 points, including hitting 5 of 9 3pt attempts. Fellow classmate Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) scored 23 points in the winning effort.

The game was a battle for both club as Western New England College (1-5) kept pace with the Fisher offense. Senior Rick Johnson scored 10 of his 18 points in the first half as the visiting Golden Bears were down by 10 points at halftime.

When the second half started, so did Louis Williams. Held just to 5 points in the first half, Williams erupted. He was 6 for 9 from the floor, including knocking down 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. The game came close as Western New England closed the deficit to 8 with a minute to play.

With the win, Fisher improves to 6-1 on the season. Fisher will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel across town to face Wentworth Institute of Technology. Game time is set for 3pm.

Fisher Women fall to 1-8 with a 66-45 loss at St. Joseph's College

Brooklyn, NY - St. Joseph's College, led by Ashley McQuillian, beat Fisher by a score of 66-45. McQuillian led the Lady Bears with 12 points in 20 minutes of action. For the Lady Falcons, freshman Darneisha Ruffin (Stoughton, MA) was an offensive force. She scored a career high 17 points (7 of 10 from the floor) while collecting 6 rebounds.
From the start, St. Joseph's had command of the game. Jumping out to a 45-16 halftime lead. Fisher, however, showed signs of hope as they won the second half, edging St. Joseph's 29-21. Also contributing to the Fisher offense was senior Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT). She recorded 11 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes of play.
The Fisher women's team will return to the court this Saturday afternoon when they travel north to Nashua, NH to face Daniel Webster Colllege.

Basketball - Men win 92-67, Women lose 63-44

Five Falcons score in double digits as Fisher wins, 92-67

Roxbury, MA - Junior Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA) led all scores with 20 points as Fisher improves to 5-1 with a 92-67 victory over visiting Hesser College. The recently named Sunrise Conference Player of the Week, Hammond, was 7-10 in the game, including going 6-7 from the 3pt line. Senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) added 15 points and junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT), sophomore Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT) and freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH) chipped in 14 points a piece.

Beckman scores 22 points but Fisher falls to Green Mountain, 63-44

Poultney, VT - Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) scored a season high 22 points in a 63-44 loss to Green Mountain College. The junior shot 50% from the floor along with shooting 5 for 9 from beyond the arc. With the loss, Fisher drops to 1-7 on the season. The women will travel to Brooklyn, NY on Thursday for a match up with St. Joseph's College.