James Kalec, hockey
After a goalie controversy to start the season, the hockey team seems to have found its choice. Junior goalie James Kalec notched 32 saves on Tuesday to lead the Jumbos to a 4-1 win over Southern New Hampshire for their first win of the season.
The Jumbos started the season against two of the best teams in Div. III., conference rivals Middlebury and Williams, and both of those games were on the road.
Coach Brian Murphy went with junior Issa Azzat in the net, who gave up five goals over the first two periods. Azzat was pulled in the third for Kalec, and the then-backup goalie saved 10 of 11 shots in the third as the Jumbos dropped the game 6-2. At Williams the next day, Kalec had 41 saves in another 6-2 loss as the Ephs out-shot the Jumbos 41-18.
Kalec then anchored the team in Tuesday's win over Southern New Hampshire, as he was peppered in the first period, saving 12 of 13 shots. The offense came through for Kalec in the second period as the Jumbos scored three goals. Kalec kept the Penmen at bay in the final two periods and Tufts rolled to their first win of the season.
The junior was the team's primary goalie last season, compiling an 8-8-1 record and a .911 save percentage. Kalec and the Jumbos will take on Salve Regina on Tuesday in their first home game of the season.
Khalilah Ummah, basketball
In just three games this season, junior forward Khalilah Ummah has posted two double-doubles, leads the Jumbos in both points and rebounds, and is one-third of an inside trio that is changing the way Tufts scores points.
The 6'0" junior averages 13.7 points per game and 9.7 rebounds early in the season, and along with senior co-captains 6'0" Laura Jasinski and 6'2" Libby Park, gives the 2006-2007 Jumbos a strong (and tall) inside presence that they have lacked in guard-stacked recent teams.
After spotty playing time off the bench last year, in which she averaged just 16 minutes and 5.7 points per game, Ummah has been a valuable asset off the bench for the Jumbos this season. Coach Carla Berube has gone with the same starting five in each of the team's first three games, but has gone to her bench early and often. None of the starters averages more than 30 minutes per game, and the bulk of those bench minutes have gone to Ummah.
In the Jumbos' most recent win, a 73-56 win over Western New England, Ummah notched her second double-double of the season, with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Twelve points and eight rebounds came in the second half as Ummah played just 23 minutes in the game. Ummah came up big on both ends as the Jumbos ran away with their second win of the season.
