A look at the All-NESCAC Jumbos

This is the second part of a two-part look at Jumbo athletes who were honored by All-NESCAC selections. On Friday, the men's cross country team and the football team's selections were reviewed; today, the other fall sports will be covered.

In men's soccer, senior midfielder Brian Mikel made the All-NESCAC Second Team. This is Mikel's second straight year on the All-Conference Team, having earned a spot on the first team last season. The Tuscon, AZ native was a team captain and was one of two players to start in every game this season for the Jumbos. Although he only scored one goal this year, Mikel was the team's playmaker, setting up shots for others and playing suffocating defense.

"He was our anchor in central midfield," coach Ralph Ferigno said. "He has a lot of natural athletic ability and is very strong technically. He'll be tough to replace."

Women's soccer fielded three All-NESCAC players this year. Seniors Jess Trombly and Jess Lovitz were First Team selections, while junior Jen Baldwin made the Second Team.

This was the second First Team honor for Lovitz, a team co-captain who started every game for the Jumbos and was the key player on one of the best defenses in the NESCAC.

"She's been the most consistent player we've had," coach Martha Whiting said. "I can't remember her ever having to come off the field. She has a toughness and a willingness to win that you don't find in a lot of players."

This was also Trombly's second year on the First Team. She was also named to the Second Team her freshman year, when she also took home NESCAC Rookie of the Year. She was second on the team in both goals and assists this year and finished third on the Jumbos' all-time scoring list with 58 points.

"She is one of the best athletes I have ever coached," Whiting said. "Her speed, aggressiveness and determination turned her into a great player."

Jen Baldwin made her second appearance on the All-Conference Team, after earning a spot on the First Team last year. The junior forward led the team in goals, assists, and points to finish near the top of the league in all three categories.

"She's a different kind of player," Whiting said. "She's a really smart player and has an amazing ability to get away from defenders and get open."

Freshman Kelli Harrison, from Rim of the World High School in Blue Jay, CA, was a force on the 20-11 volleyball team. Harrison ranked in the top ten in the NESCAC in kills per game and hitting percentage. The outside hitter's 413 kills were the best on the team, while her 265 digs and 36 aces were both second on the team.

Harrison's impact was also recognized outside the NESCAC, as she was an honorable mention to the All-New England team and was selected to two All-Tournament teams, one at MIT and the other at the Coast Guard Academy.

"The entire season was amazing," said Harrison. "I had a great time and we played really well as a team."

Women's cross country senior captain Lauren Caputo was another Jumbo at the top of the NESCAC. Caputo ran strong all year, placed first for the Jumbos in nearly every race, and won All-New England honors in addition to her spot on the NESCAC First Team. Caputo won one of nine at-large bids to the NCAA Division III National Championship, at Hanover, Indiana, where she placed 71st in the nation.

Rounding out Tuft's All-Conference athletes is sophomore field hockey standout Lea Napolitano. In only her second year as a Jumbo, Napolitano led the Jumbos with 16 points and six goals to make the All-NESCAC Second Team.

"She's just incredibly talented and hardworking," coach Carol Rappoli said. "She makes the other players around her better. She is one of the best forwards in the league and one of the best 10-15 players."

Napolitano's strong play also earned her recognition from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, which selected her to the New England West Region Second Team.