Woodstock Academy boys’ soccer coach Paul Rearden was hopeful that the momentum the Centaurs built Oct. 18 was going to carry over into Saturday.
It did.
“Coming on the heels of (Friday’s) game, it was a big ask for them to compete at that level again. But they came out of the blocks flying,” Rearden said.
The Centaurs finished in a 1-all tie with Auburn Oct. 18, scoring a goal in the final three minutes.
Oct. 19, they scored the first goal in a match at Coginchaug Regional in Durham and again finished in a 1-all deadlock.
The two ties gives the Centaurs a 1-8-2 record.
“It would have been nice to win (the Coginchaug match) after the tie Friday but the boys were saying, ‘This is what we need,’” Rearden said.
Unfortunately, the Centaurs will need a little more than that to qualify for the Class L state tournament.
The Centaurs had five matches left coming into the week and needed to win them all to make the postseason.
“We just have to worry about winning the next game. If you look too far out, you tend to trip over things because you’re not looking at what is in front of you. We just have to keep up the performances,” Rearden said. “Look at the positive, we were undefeated (last) week.”
Nothing is impossible.
Rearden pointed out that Coginchaug shutout Valley Regional recently, 3-0, and the Warriors were a 4-0 winner over the Centaurs.
“Soccer has a weird way of falling. You can’t take anything for granted. We have a head of steam now and we just hope we can use it,” Rearden said.
The Centaurs had plenty of rest coming into the week.
Their last match was on Oct. 7 before they returned to the field on Oct. 18 in Auburn.
The Rockets opened a 1-0 lead early when they scored just 15 minutes into the match, even though Rearden thought Woodstock Academy had the better of the play in the first half.
The second half was similar with neither team having a very good chance.
The best for the Centaurs came off the foot of Logan Talbot who struck the cross bar with a shot.
But with three minutes left, the Centaurs finally caught a break.
Woodstock Academy’s Andrew Johnson was taken down in Auburn territory.
“The after effects of that challenge was still bothering (Johnson Saturday),” Rearden said.
So, the Woodstock Academy coach thought it was only fitting that Talbot sent a ball into the area and senior Sean Rearden got his head on it and directed it into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
The Centaurs followed up that last-minute game saver with an early goal on Saturday in Durham.
Paul Rearden thought his team played a very good first half and could have easily been up by multiple goals.
Instead, they had to settle for the one-goal advantage.
Leading scorer Eric Phongsa scored his fifth goal of the year off an assist from Huck Gelhaus.
The Centaurs had Coginchaug in retreat and their defense was trying to make a stand inside the penalty area.
Coginchaug tried to clear the ball but Gelhaus won the 50-50 ball and headed it back in the direction of Phongsa.
“Fantastic finish,” said Paul Rearden. “Eric just made a great turn and rifled one in. A spectacular goal.”
The Blue Devils tried to respond early in the second half but the Centaurs defense was staunch.
Coginchaug (10-2-2) finally tied the game with 25 minutes left. A Blue Devils’ corner bounced into the middle of a crowd, finally finding Coginchaug’s Kevin Ryan who found the back of the net.
The efforts may not have produced wins, but that didn’t bother Paul Rearden.
“Two really unbelievable performances against two good teams,” the Woodstock Academy coach said. “I’m really pleased for the boys. Sooner or later, if you keep working, you will start to get the breaks.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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Phillip A. Wintrow,
Navy vet
DAYVILLE — Phillip Andrew Wintrow, 60, of Dayville formerly of Vandalia, Ohio, died Oct. 13, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the husband of Jeanne (Auger) Wintrow. They were married Oct. 23, 1981.
He was born Aug. 6, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio, son of Charles Thomas and Therese (Juenger) Wintrow.
Phillip grew up in Ohio and moved to Dayville after his discharge from the U. S.  Navy. He worked as a mechanical engineer for Pfizer, enjoyed directing plays and playing the lead in several plays at the Killingly Community Theatre. He was a Lector at St. Anne’s Church in Ballouville. Phillip loved umpiring for Dayville Attawaugan Little League and woodworking.
He leaves his wife Jeanne; parents Charles and Therese Wintrow of Vandalia; children Jacinda St. James (Alan) of Dayville, Zachary Wintrow (Molly) of Tewksbury, Mass., Abigail Wintrow of Arlington, Va.; siblings Mary DeBois (Steve) of Dover, Ohio, Tom Wintrow (Becky) of Akron, Ohio, Jeff Wintrow (Teri) of Vandalia, Chris Wintrow (Megan) of Vandalia, Terry Wintrow (Lori) of Kettering, Ohio Bill Wintrow (Lisa) of Findlay, Ohio; granddaughters Big Faith and Little Faith, grandson Miles
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at St. John the Apostle Church, Plainfield, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wauregan with military honors. Donations: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 659 Tower Ave., First Floor, Hartford, CT 06112. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Richard ‘Butchy’ Baer
PUTNAM — Richard “Butchy” Baer, 76, of Woodstock Ave., died Oct. 16, 2019, at UMass University Hospital. He was the husband of Doris (Morin) Baer.  Born in 1942 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Merrill and Theresa (Rathenburg) Baer.
Oct. 1, 1966, at St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale, he was united in marriage to the former Doris Morin.
Mr. Baer worked at Hale Manufacturing for more than 20 years until its closing. Then he went to work for the Putnam Public Schools where he retired. Butchy enjoyed drawing and building model cars and airplanes.
He leaves his wife of 53 years Doris Baer; a son, Richard “Ricky” Baer (Kristen) of Woodstock; siblings, Douglas Baer and Theresa Benzie, both of Danielson; nieces and nephews.
A graveside is being planned in the future. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Nancy Brousseau
PUTNAM — Nancy Brousseau, 58, of Thayer St., died unexpectedly Oct. 16, 2019, in Day Kimball Hospital.  Born in 1961 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Adelard “Del” and Annette (Langlois) Brousseau.
Nancy worked for many years as a baker for Price Chopper Supermarket in Putnam.  She enjoyed cooking, baking and crocheting.  She loved crafts and was an avid reader.
She leaves her daughter, Hannah Twerdy of Putnam; her brothers, Gene Brousseau (Peg) of Sturbridge, Paul Brousseau (Terry) of Scio, N.Y., Adelard “Pete” Brousseau (Waneta) of Griswold, and Martin Brousseau (Pam) of Brooklyn; her sisters, Loretta Jolicoeur (Bill) of N. Grosvenordale, Beatrice St. Cyr of N. Grosvenordale, and Tina Rock (Vinnie) of S. Killingly.  She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Brousseau.
The burial was Oct. 22 in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Normand A. Bellerose
PEORIA, Ariz. — Normand A. Bellerose, formally of Putnam, died Oct. 14, 2019, at home in Peoria.
He leaves his wife of 60 years Gloria (Bellerive) Bellerose; his son Brian Bellerose (Vicki); his daughter Barbara J Bellerose; his daughter-in-law Amy K Bellerose; two brothers, Paul and Bernie Bellerose; five grandsons and two great-grandsons. Normand was predeceased by two sisters, Jean Ravenelle and Rita Mailloux; a brother Dick Bellerose; and his son Barry Bellerose.

Gilbert N. Gauthier
DANIELSON — Gilbert N. Gauthier, 63, of Danielson died Oct. 6, 2019, at home. He was born on Aug. 21, 1956, in Putnam, the son of the late Sylvio and Doris (Oldham) Gauthier.
Gilbert worked for McDonald’s Corporation as a maintenance technician for many years. He truly enjoyed photography.
Gilbert leaves his daughter Rachel Parker; his granddaughters Kiara Parker and Brielle Parker; his brother Jim Gauthier (Renee); his sister Grace Roberts; nieces and nephews.
Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Brenna A. Larson
N. GROSVENORDALE — Brenna A. Larson, 17, of Floral Ave., died unexpectedly as the result of a car accident Oct. 14, 2019.  Born in 2002 in Worcester, she was the daughter of Eric Larson of Charlton and Charlotte (Ignasiak) Fisk of N. Grosvenordale.
Brenna was a bright student in her senior year at Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School. She enjoyed helping her many friends and had a great love for life.  She loved all animals and enjoyed helping out at her friend’s farm.  She had a big heart and it showed in everything and to everyone with everything that she did.  She volunteered her time at the ARC in Brooklyn and the Charlton Senior Citizens Center in Charlton.
In addition to her parents, Brenna she leaves her maternal grandparents, Jean (Neeser) Bayliss and her step-grandfather, Eric Bayliss; her paternal grandmother, Barbara Larson of Charlton; her godfather, Damon Anderson (Cathy) of Webster; her godmother, Rhonda Duhamel (Richard) of Dudley; uncles, Keith Ignasiak (Lori) of N. Carolina, Vity Larson (Dianna) of Charlton, and Swen Larson (Michelle) of Sutton, Mass.; aunts, Kim Houle of N.Carolina, Donna Berhens (Peter) of Oxford, Mass., Samantha Ignasiak of Wilsonville, and Kelly Mankamyer and (David) of Mississippi.  She is predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Steen Larson and her maternal grandfather, Joseph Ignasiak.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 19 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: Protectors of Animals, P.O. Box 24, Glastonbury, CT 06073. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Michael Anthony Smith
Heaven gained an angel on Oct. 5, 2019, when Michael Anthony Smith left his earthly body.
Born in Putnam on June 11, 1986, Michael was a bright-eyed boy with a lot of love to share. As a kid you could find him catching crayfish at Mashamoquet or in his bedroom with tanks full of reptiles and amphibians. He grew up playing sports and collecting baseball cards, but he also had rhythm- with a love of music he was always ready to hit the dance floor. Michael loved to be silly, to laugh and make others laugh. He was an artist who excelled at drawing, and was always the protector of his little sisters. As an adult he enjoyed landscaping, watching movies and doing absolutely anything with his daughter, Lydia Celine. He shared some of his happiest years with longtime love, Heather Gould. Michael’s laughter was contagious, his smile was infectious and would light up a room; his daughter is a direct reflection of his love.
He leaves his daughter, Lydia Celine Smith Orlowski; niece, Julianna Knott; mother, Lynnette Smith and Gary Michaud; father, Mark Smith and Barbara Ballis; his sisters, Danielle Smith and Jessica Smith; grandparents, Jeannette Lespasio, Karin and Richard Shackleton, Linda and Richard Smith. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Angelo Vito Lespasio, and his uncle, Scott Richard Smith.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Putnam Elks on Edmond Street.

James E. Sharples III
THOMPSON — James E. Sharples III, 62, of Thompson Rd, died Oct. 18, 2019, at home. Born in 1956 in Putnam, he was the son of the late James and Rosa (Demers) Sharples II.
Mr. Sharples worked as a machinist for Arrow Diversified in Ellington.  He was a proud member of A.A. for 22 years.  He enjoyed the outdoors, cooking, music and baking apple pies.
He leaves his son, James Sharples IV (Dr. Kimberly Legere-Sharples) of Meriden; his daughters, Mary May Messenger of Lewiston, Maine, and Samantha A. Sharples and her companion Marvin Clemente of Willimantic; his sisters, Carol Beauchesne of N. Grosvenordale, and Diane Dixon of Webster; his grandchildren, Zachariah, Amaré, Anastasia, Ailonnie and Bruin; and his cousin and best friend, George Pickett Jr.; his step-siblings, Bill Morton, Bob Morton, Steve Morton, Lauri Clerico, Michael Morton and Kevin Morton. He was predeceased by his stepmother, Lorraine Sharples, and his stepbrother, Eddie Morton.
Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 9 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. and burial in W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Your local food pantry. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Marilyn M. Buck
BROOKLYN — Marilyn M. Buck of Vina Lane, Brooklyn, died Oct. 9, 2019, at home.
Marilyn was born May 5, 1932, in Hartford to Daniel and Janet (Aylotte) Mercer.  She was a graduate of Mount St. Joseph Academy in W. Hartford and the Class of 1953 St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing.  She was devoted the nursing profession that she loved.  At various times she worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford, as a school nurse in Shutesbury, Mass., and at several group homes in the Amherst, Mass., area that specialized in reacquainting deinstitutionalized clients with the community.  In keeping with her passion to help others, she was also employed by the Salvation Army. 
She leaves her husband of 65 years, Ernest M.; three children, Ernest of Santa Cruz, Calif., Michael (Carol) of Savannah, Ga., and Susan Lloyd (Ned) of Woodstock; seven grandchildren and a great-grandson, Oak. She was predeceased by her daughter Mary-Lynn Costas. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Brooklyn.  Burial will be private. Donations: Day Kimball Hospice HomeCare, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

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Jermaine Mentoor gives off a loosey-goosey vibe. He’s quick with a joke, with a smile, with good-natured trash talk to a classmate. He’s quick to break out his dance moves when the right music moves him.
But not far beneath that lies a deeply competitive person who is always looking for the next challenge.
“I take things hard because I know I can do better,” the Putnam Science Academy senior soccer player said recently. “And I know when I challenge myself to do better, it makes me a better player, but it makes me a better person, too.”
He challenges himself not to repeat mistakes off the field, and to strive for an A+ on all of his schoolwork. On the field, it’s about becoming the best player he can be. A few years ago his father told him that his left foot needed work if he wanted to play soccer at a high level. Mentoor has dedicated himself to improving his technique passing, shooting, and getting the ball in the air with his left. And he is at the point now where he feels comfortable playing with both feet.
That was on display last week in a game against Hoosac (a 5-0 win for the Mustangs), in which he controlled play from his center back position.
“He did very well. He was very, very solid for us back there,” said PSA coach Sam DeMello. “He’s starting to realize that this is an opportunity, because he’s naturally a right back but now playing center back. It’s an opportunity for him to add a different dimension to his game and to ultimately showcase himself to colleges.”
Said Mentoor, who hails from Capetown, South Africa: “My last couple of games before Hoosac, I didn’t play so well, as well as I could have and should have. But the match against Hoosac, for me I played very well. I hardly had any mistakes. I just played the way I should have been playing.”
Mentoor, who is wiry but strong at 6-feet-tall and 160 pounds, said he would probably be a swimmer based on how well he did when he was younger. And if things don’t work out after college and he’s not playing professional soccer as he hopes, he can see himself being a chef.
“I love to cook,” he said. “My mom teaches me back home. It’s something different to do and it keeps me busy. It’s something else to challenge myself to learn to do.”
But first, soccer. DeMello said Mentoor is an attractive college player because of his technical ability on the ball. He is also very athletic, which lets him compete for balls in the air and cover space on the ground with his speed.
“He’s got a lot of tools that can make him a very successful college player,” DeMello said.
For his part, Mentoor said none of that stuff enters his mind during the game. His focus is solely on directing his team in front of him and keeping the opposition away from his net.
“I don’t think about anything like that. I just think about the game,” he said. “After the game, then I can think about the other things. But the first things that come to my mind are ‘How did I do today?’ and ‘What did I do well? What do I need to work on and do better?’ and then I focus on the things I can improve on.
“There are so many opportunities and challenges in playing against top teams and working against top players in our training. I just love the game and I love the challenges it gives me. That’s what I pay attention to.”

Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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