With the start of the fall 2015 semester upon us, students are getting ready to tackle their classes and get back into university life. One of the best aspects of social life on campus is attending Fordham’s athletic events and cheering for our fellow Rams! Coming up this semester are exciting seasons for many of Fordham’s teams.

Men & Women’s Cross Country:

Last season, the men’s cross country team placed 10th out of 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Championship race with 202 points. One runner, Quincy O’Connor, was named to the 2014 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team. Fortunately for the team, O’Connor will be returning to the team this season for his senior year. The men’s team will also retain Thomas Slattery, a sophomore who qualified to compete at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Having won the IC4A Championship the past two consecutive years, the men’s team will be looking to defend their title for a third season. The women’s team finished 11th out of 14 teams at the Atlantic 10 Championship race. The women’s roster is very young this year, with nine freshmen holding spots on the 23-person team. Hopefully this new blood will help them to boost their motivation and bring them to even higher accolades in the coming season.

Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Ed Joyce Memorial Meet in Van Cortlandt Park, 10:30 a.m.

Men’s Football:

Last year, Fordham’s football team went 11-3 and will enter the 2015 season as the reigning Patriot League champions. Two players, Chase Edmonds and Stephen Hodge, were specifically honored this offseason. Edmonds, running back, was named Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in early August. Hodge, linebacker, was named the League’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year around the same time. With both of these players on the roster for the upcoming season, the team has an excellent shot at defending their title. The team had a great season last year, and there is every reason to believe they’ll be able to improve upon it this fall.

Saturday, Sept. 12 against Villanova University at Rose Hill, 6:00 p.m.

HOMECOMING GAME will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 against Columbia University at Rose Hill, 1:00 p.m.

Men’s Golf:

Last season, the men’s golf team finished in 10th place at the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament. Joe Trim, currently a sophomore, had the best final round of the Championship weekend, shooting an even par. Trim is set on the team’s roster for the upcoming 2015 season. However, Ben Alcorn, who has since graduated, had the best overall weekend at the Championship Tournament, shooting only four over par for the entire tournament. Alcorn’s departure may hurt the team, but this year’s roster is looking strong. With some hard work and practice, the team should be able to make up for the departure of last season’s seniors and come back to improve their standing in the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championships.

Friday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Sept. 13 in the Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament hosted by Central Connecticut State University

Men’s Soccer:

After finishing the regular season 11-10, The Fordham Men’s Soccer Team took home the Atlantic 10 Champion title in the 2014 season, and should be looking to defend it this season. In the championship game, Christopher Bazzini and Jannik Loebe, both freshman at the time, worked together to score the only goal of the game. Both players will be returning to the team for the 2015 season. Last season’s goalkeeper, Sean Brailey, has graduated and will not be returning to the team. This could hurt them, as Brailey posted two shutouts during the tournament. That said, with another excellent goalkeeper, the team could go on to defend their title this season for a second consecutive — and third overall — Atlantic 10 crown.

Tuesday, Sept. 15 against Army West Point at Rose Hill, 7:00 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo:

Fordham’s Men’s Water Polo team made it to the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championships for the fourth time in the school’s history. The Rams claimed ninth place in the tournament. Unfortunately for the team, goalkeeper Noah LeBeau has graduated. Ten of the players on the current 27-man roster are seniors or graduate students, meaning this year’s team should be very well-seasoned. With such experience on the team, they should be able to make another appearance at the championships this season, and hopefully they’ll be able to advance even further and earn the Fordham Men’s Polo Team their best finish to date.

Saturday, Sept. 26 against MIT at Rose Hill, 2:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer:

After finishing their season 8-10, Fordham’s Women’s Soccer Team did not participate in Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament. This season, the team is welcoming seven new freshmen to its roster, and hopefully that will help take them to the championships for the 2015 season. The team is looking to rebound from a disappointing season last year and should be able to build upon the promising finish to the 2014 season. With a strong group of incoming freshmen, the future looks bright for these ladies.

Sunday, Sept. 13 against LIU Brooklyn at Rose Hill, 1:00 p.m.

Women’s Tennis:

Last season’s Women’s Tennis team made Fordham’s first ever appearance in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Championships. Unfortunately, that is where the season’s journey ended, but this team of three women — Destiny Grunin (junior), Carolina Sa (sophomore), and Estelle Wong (sophomore) — is determined to do even better this year. In fact, Wong was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week twice last year. With many seniors leaving and no new freshmen coming in, the team is beginning to dwindle in numbers, but that may mean they will become a concentrated force to be reckoned with.

Friday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Sept. 13 in the Stony Brook Invitational

Women’s Volleyball:

The Fordham Women’s Volleyball Team finished the season with a 3-25 record and did not play in the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament. With four members of last season’s team leaving to make room for three new freshmen, the team will be full of new talent. With a lot of practice and training, the team will be able to come back this season and hopefully make it to the A-10 tournament.

Friday, Sept. 4 – Saturday, Sept. 5 in the Rose Hill Classic