Bryan McDavitt, Football
<$> Sophomore Bryan McDavitt formed the cornerstone of a Tufts defense that shut down the undefeated Amherst Lord Jeffs 10-3 in Amherst on Saturday.
The defensive back and punter had six total tackles on the day, two of which counted for losses of 13 yards. He recorded a sack for a loss of 11 yards that resulted in a fumble and Jumbo field goal to open the day's scoring, as well as defending three passes on the day. Late in fourth quarter action with Tufts protecting a 10-3 lead, McDavitt broke up an Amherst pass on the Tufts 15 yard line that would have tied the game had the Lord Jeffs completed the play.
Amherst, which had averaged 33.8 points and 421 yards a game entering the clash, was limited to just 221 yards on offense in its second consecutive loss in two seasons to the Jumbos.
With his foot, McDavitt also averaged 37.1 yards per kick in nine punts. The Holden, Mass. native has seen limited action on the defensive side this fall, with six of his 18 total tackles coming in Saturday's game. For his efforts, McDavitt was named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Lea Napolitano, Field Hockey
<$> Junior tri-captain Lea Napolitano got it done offensively for the field hockey team yesterday.
In the opening round of the NESCAC Tournament at Wesleyan, Napolitano scored both goals in the Jumbos' 2-0 shutout of the Wesleyan Cardinals, leading Tufts to a semifinal appearance next weekend at Middlebury.
At 18:30 into the first half, Napolitano scored what turned out to be the game winner, receiving a cross from senior tri-captain Dana Panzer to the left and hammering it home for the goal. Just 1:03 later, the Waltham, Mass. native found the back of the cage again, this time rushing solo from midfield to the circle and beating out Wesleyan goalie Caitlin Kelly for the second time in as many tries.
The two goals give Napolitano six on the season, second to Panzer's 12. She is also second on the Jumbo roster with five assists, giving her 17 total points. Napolitano led the Jumbos with six goals last fall, while she scored one during her freshman campaign in 2002.
The Jumbos will be hoping for similar offensive contributions this Saturday against a high-powered 14-0 Middlebury team that has allowed just 14 goals against all season, compared to 69 goals for.<$>
