Turning close losses into nice wins.
It’s the goal of the Woodstock Academy girls’ field hockey team.
“We let teams hang in that really shouldn’t have,” said Woodstock Academy coach Lauren Gagnon who enters her eighth year at the helm. “That’s been the big focus of the offseason. We did a ton of shooting. We’ve changed up our formation to, hopefully, prevent a few goals and have made some personnel shifts to utilize our strengths.”
The Centaurs won their first two games of the season in 2018.
They won only one more thereafter to finish with a 3-13 mark.
But only three of those losses were by three goals or more.
The Centaurs lost five games each by either one or two goals.
“I think we just kind of got scared in front of the goal or something,” senior Avery Jones said. “This year, we’re going to be confident, we’re going to go for it, go as hard as we can.”
And they will do so using a new philosophy.
It’s something that Gagnon cooked up with her coaching staff, McKayla Jones and Lena Ives, both of whom played when the program was first established at The Academy.
“We want them to feel comfortable in the new formation and have them know that when they are moving, they are moving together. They’re moving in strength, it’s not one-on-one. We don’t need that. The only one-on-one opportunities we should be having are against a goalie,” Gagnon said.
Gagnon was reluctant to discuss specific plans especially since the Centaurs haven’t really had much of a chance to implement it in a game yet.
One thing is for sure, Jones will be finding herself in a new position.
Instead of playing in the middle where she scored three goals and had eight assists last season, the senior will find herself playing more in the back of the formation, a low-mid position.
“I’m pretty excited. It’s something different, something I haven’t done very often. It’s going to be super-fun,” Jones said.
Jones, who has some of the better natural talent for the game on the roster, said she had no problem with the move when Gagnon suggested it to her.
“I’m not a fussy player. I’m pretty flexible as to where I am on the field,” Jones said.
It’s something Gagnon likes about the team as a whole.
“I think the character of this team is even better this year,” Gagnon said. “The coaching staff created leadership positions that are clearly defined so there is no stepping of one another’s toes. Mentally, we are better. Our positivity is better. We have some really selfless leaders. I asked each of them which leadership role they wanted and they asked me which one I thought they were best at. It wasn’t ‘This is what I’m going to do.’ It was, ‘Where do you think I fit best?’”
The reason for moving Jones back is simple.
Gagnon wants to build more from the back and Jones can help in that regard.
“Avery’s power is going to be a huge advantage. She is really calm and collected. She doesn’t get frazzled by people coming down on her. She has the skills to stop them and, hopefully, that will inspire more confidence in the defensive line,” Gagnon said.
Joining Jones in the back will be senior Emma Durand and juniors Megan Preston and Maria Santucci.
Senior Rachael Roberts and newcomer Kailey LaChappelle will be in the cage for the Centaurs. Last year’s keeper, Olivia Stanikmas graduated as did All-Eastern Connecticut Conference defensive player Kate Boshka (2 goals) and forwards Hannah Chubbuck (5 goals, 1 assist), Emma Strandson (who is now playing at Simmons College) and Samantha Mowry (5 goals and now playing at Eastern Connecticut State University).
The midfield will include Jones, Durand, Eliza Dutson and Santucci as well as newcomers Alex Vaida, Sarah Delaney, Sofia Murray and Eliza Simpson.
Rachel Canedy (6 goals, 5 assists), the team’s leading scorer last season, returns as a junior and will get help up front from Dutson (4 goals, 4 assists), junior Olivia Ott, Vaida, Delaney, Murray and Simpson.
Jones feels, despite not being up front, she can help this team do something it needs to do more of – score goals.
“I can outlet the ball pretty far up the field. I’ve been playing for a while now and that means we can get it farther up the field and not have to dribble so far, get to the net sooner and put it in,” Jones said. “We’ve always been able to get it in the circle. This year, we have to work on getting it in the cage. It’s not that hard. We just have to work on it.”
Gagnon feels the Centaurs could be a part of the picture in the ECC this season.
East Lyme and Stonington have both suffered some graduation losses and both Waterford and Norwich Free Academy will have new coaches.
But the Centaurs have to overcome their own inferiority complex.
“There is really no reason why we shouldn’t move up,” Gagnon said. “It’s only the mentality that is holding us back and our own ambitions. We haven’t set any goals for number of wins this season. We’re focused on strictly on playing our game, not beat any particular team, just play our best. I think we just get stuck in that mentality.”
For Jones, this will be her swan song.
“It’s really interesting. I can’t believe I’ve been on the team for four years and my sister before me was on the team for four years (McKayla is Avery’s sister) so I feel like I’ve been here for eight years, honestly,” Jones said. “It’s crazy how time flies. I remember my first day at practice freshman year, being afraid of everything, not sure of what I should be doing or where I should go. It’s really been a wonderful experience.”
While Jones is one of only three seniors on the team, she will likely not be saying good bye to the sport at the end of the season.
Although she hasn’t committed, Jones is leaning toward Sweet Briar College, a Division III school in Virginia, where she believes there is a spot for her in the field hockey program.
“I’ve been talking with the coach, they have my major there, it’s a wonderful school,” Jones said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Field Hockey Schedule:
Sat., Sept. 14: vs. East Catholic 12:30 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 17: at East Lyme 5:15 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 21: at Enfield 11 a.m.
Tues., Sept. 24: vs. Stonington 4 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 26: vs. NFA 3:45 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 28: vs. Valley Regional 11 a.m.
Tues., Oct. 1: vs. Waterford 4:10 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 5: vs. Killingly 2 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 9: at Wethersfield 3:45 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 15: vs. East Lyme 3:45 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 17: at Fitch 5:45 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 22: at Stonington 6:30 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 24: at NFA 3:45 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 29: at Waterford 4:10 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 31: at Killingly 3:45 p.m.
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caption:
Practice
Woodstock Academy field hockey goalie Rachael Roberts works on her form in practice. Photo by Marc Allard.
Losses to graduation are a fact of life in high school athletics.
But it hurts when a program loses double-digit numbers not just in one year but in two consecutive years.
It’s the challenge that faces the Woodstock Academy boys’ soccer program this season.
What makes it even worse is that three of the graduated players will not be easy to replace.
Leading scorer Ethan Holcomb had 11 goals and 4 assists.
He is now playing lacrosse in college.
Cole Hackett was the anchor of the defense and now wears a Boston University jersey.
Chase Anderson, another defensive stalwart, still plays at The Woodstock Academy, but he is a member of the Blue post-graduate boys’ basketball program and is no longer eligible to play soccer.
“I think they all count as two players,” Woodstock Academy coach Paul Rearden said. “Those are some big shoes to fill, on and off the field.”
Those three along with players such as Alejandro Gonzalez (6 goals, 5 assists) and Jake Marsalisi led the Centaurs to a 13-6-2 record last season.
They also surprised some by winning the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship and made it into the second round of the Class L state tournament.
That may not be helpful for this newest group of Centaurs.
“We’re going to have to play harder, play better probably, because you know teams will be looking to beat us this season,” said senior captain Sean Rearden.
A repeat performance of that may or may not be in the cards.
“It’s a little bit like last year where I didn’t quite know how it would all pan out,” Paul Rearden said. “In an ideal world, if everybody hits the ground running, we could have something here which is what happened last year. This year could be similar. If we can take the attitude and positivity from last year, maybe.”
One thing that may be different from a year ago is the personality of the team.
It will now be led by senior captains Sean Rearden, Nate Craig and Doug Newton.
“I think there is a good rapport and I think the seniors are closer to the underclassmen. That’s really something we’re trying to focus on this year and that includes those on the JV and freshman teams. We’re trying to get them all feel like they’re on the team,” said Sean Rearden.
Newton is probably the most vocal of the three but his voice will have to be heard from the sideline for much, if not all, the season.
Newton suffered a broken ankle in a summer league soccer game and is just getting off crutches this week.
It means Sean Rearden and Craig will have to be the leaders on the pitch.
“Nathan Craig is the valedictorian of the (senior) class. There is not a better student-athlete in the school. He’s a great captain to lead by example,” Sean Rearden said.
So far, Paul Rearden has liked what he has seen.
“Practices have been very good, the level has been really good,” the Woodstock Academy coach said. “I think this time last year, I was worried about the physicality and that is also similar this year. We’re not going to be the biggest of teams.”
The Centaurs, even without Holcomb and Gonzalez, should be OK offensively.
Eric Phongsa (8 goals, 3 assists), Reid Butler (5 goals) and Sean Rearden (4 goals, 4 assists) should be able to find the net.
Juniors Richard Hickson and Huck Gelhaus will also have to contribute.
Newcomers Logan Talbot and Logan Fairchild will also see time up front in the Centaurs 4-2-3 alignment.
“You could see Eric Phongsa was growing as the year went on. His confidence has grown and grown. He’s been outstanding in practice, he’s always scored a bucket of goals and I think he’s going to enjoy that responsibility. Reid has one of the sweetest left foots that you will see and most of his goals were from a good distance out,” Paul Rearden said.
The Woodstock Academy coach will likely move Craig from the left side to the middle of the defense.
“He’s actually faster than Cole. He’s a good, quiet player,” Paul Rearden said.
Hickson may also see time in the back as will Colin Smith and Jack Butler who may also find himself in the middle.
The Centaurs will also be new at goalie after senior Isidro De Icaza graduated and Jack Lotter decided not to come out for the program.
Sophomores Zach Roethlein and Collin Manuilow will be vying for time in front of the net.
“Both are more than capable,” Paul Rearden said. “Zach has a little more physical presence than Collin but I want to see them battle it out to be the No. 1 goalie rather than being satisfied with sharing,”
The Woodstock Academy coach said with the raw, technical talent the Centaurs have, equaling last year’s record is not out of the question.
However, there is one other intangible.
Woodstock Academy will play in Division I of the ECC this season.
It tied with Ledyard and Bacon Academy for the top spot in Division II last season and went on to win the league championship.
“It’s a completely different ballgame. We go into a game and everyone knows we are last year’s champions and they want to show us who is on the ball this year. There is a big target on the back. Some people thrive on that, others shrink from it. Hopefully, we got the personalities in there and I think we do. I’m genuinely excited with the group we have,” Paul Rearden said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Boys’ soccer:
Thurs., Sept. 12: at Fitch 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 14: vs. Valley Regional 11 a.m.
Tues., Sept. 17: vs. Ledyard 3:45 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 20: at East Lyme 6 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 24: vs. Stonington 4 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 26: at NFA 3:45 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 3: vs. New London 4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 5: vs. Amherst (MA.) 1 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 7: vs. East Lyme 3:45 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 9: at Coginchaug 4 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 15: at Stonington 4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 19: at Auburn (MA.) 11 a.m.
Mon., Oct. 21: vs. NFA 3:45 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 24: at Waterford 6 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 28: vs. Windham 4:15 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 30: at Bacon Academy 4 p.m.
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Lt. Col. M. Myslenski,
Army veteran
BROOKLYN — Lt. Col. Michael E. Myslenski, 52, of Stetson Rd., died unexpectedly Sept. 3, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Julie A. (Gresian) Myslenski. Born in 1967 in New Britain, he was the son of Edward Myslenski of Southington and Kathleen (Goggin) Burton of Stafford.
Michael’s Army career started off as a combat medic with the 3rd Infantry Division at the age of 19 in Germany, after he completed his active duty tour Michael joined the Connecticut Army National Guard. He was accepted to the Army Physician’s Assistant program and served as a P.A. in the Guard and at Day Kimball Hospital for more than 20 years. He had a distinguished career as a P.A. and multiple deployments including Bosnia 2001-2002, Iraq 2003-2004, Afghanistan 2009-2010 and 2012-13.
Michael has earned the Air Assault Badge, Combat Medical Badge and multiple Army Commendation Medals. He was tremendously proud to have started his Army career as a private and progressed to a colonel. Being around Mike was always an experience and people were drawn to him with his infectious smile.
Michael was a P.A. for UConn Health Center. He enjoyed many hobbies during his short lifetime, some of which included riding his Harley or taking his Road Runner out for a spin. It was always an adventure, whether four-wheeling in the backyard or cross-country camping trips.
In addition to his wife Julie, he leaves his twin children, Matthew Myslenski, and Magdalena Myslenski, both still at home in Brooklyn; and his sisters, Theresa Myslenski of E. Windsor, Nicole Brownlow of Summerville, S.C., and Valerie Ehrman of New York.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 7 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret with burial in Pomfret South Cemetery. Donations: Mission 22, 17040 Pilkington Rd. Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ronald E. Brissette,
Navy vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Ronald E. Brissette, 76, of Whittemore Ave., died Sept. 7, 2019, at UMass Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Yvette (Beaulac) Brissette. Born in 1943 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Louis and Theresa (Perreault) Brissette.
Ron was a U.S. Navy veteran serving aboard the USS Hazelwood being honorably discharged on Sept. 16, 1964.
On Aug. 7, 1965, at St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, the former Yvette Beaulac.
Mr. Brissette began his working career in the credit department with W.T. Grant Co. in Putnam; he was promoted to assistant store manager in the Hartford store and later became the store manager in the Torrington location.
In October of 1976 he joined Eastern CT Truck Sales (I.H. Dealership) in sales and service. In 1984 Ron began selling real estate along with residential construction, including modular homes.
In 1994 he joined the Cargill Bank in Putnam as a loan officer. Finally, in 2008, he retired from the New Alliance Bank.
Ron was a past president of NE Board of Realtors, as well as a member of MLS, St. Joseph’s School Board, and BPOE of Putnam. He was also a volunteer at TEEG where he was named a “Thompson Ambassador” and served on many various committees for the town of Thompson.
Ron coached WPTP football and Thompson Little League, where he was inducted as a Honorary Lifetime Member.
Above all Ron was a “true” Lion, being a member of the Thompson Lions Club since 1993. There he served on many boards and committees, held the position of treasurer for 12 years, was elected King Lion, and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Yvette (Beaulac) Brissette; a daughter, Angela Benson (Gary) of Haslet, Texas; a son, Shawn Brissette (Tara) of N. Grosvenordale; siblings, Carol Briere of Putnam, Roger Brissette (Linda) of Clearwater, Fla., Terry Pelletier (Roger) of Thompson, Cindy Boucher (Butch) of Thompson, Anne Pion (Ray) of Webster, and Donna Hendrickson (Wayne) of Thompson; grandchildren, Brandon Brissette-Miller (Yvette), Logan Miller and his significant other Abbi, Nathan Miller, Morgan Brissette and her significant other Dylan, and Benjamin Brissette; great-granddaughter Milah Brissette-Miller; “brother from another mother,” Robert LaChance of N. Grosvenordale; his dog, Lexi. He was predeceased by a sister, Linda Litchfield.
Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2. Burial is in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors. Donations: Thompson Lions Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 28, Thompson, CT 06277. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Noella (Fournier) Carita
WEBSTER — Noella (Fournier) Carita, 95, of 34 Eastern Ave., died peacefully Aug. 31, 2019, at the Webster Manor Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Charles Carita.
Born in 1924 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Agnes (Daigle) Fournier.
For 36 Noella worked for B.W. Footwear of Webster.
She was a communicant for the St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale.
Throughout her life Noella was involved in her children’s school activities, church and community activities, and loved to help family, friends and neighbors in any way she could.
At The Manor she served on the Residents’ Council as vice president. Noella was incredibly well read and enjoyed cross word puzzles, knitting and traveling with friends.
She leaves her daughter Lu-Ann Burns of Webster; five grandchildren, Tamara Bourget, Brandon Carita, Eric Carita, Ben Fersenheim and Nick Fersenheim; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Ronald Carita.
Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 13 in Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale.
Burial follows in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN. 38105, a charity Noella faithfully supported for many years.
Norman D. Cote Sr.
PUTNAM — Norman D. Cote Sr., 86, of Putnam Pike, died Sept. 2, 2019, at Brookside Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Webster. He was the husband of Janet (Gould) Cote. Born in 1933 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Hector and Rossetta (Delodge) Cote.
Mr. Cote was a painting contractor. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool, mountain biking, nature and loved to workout at the Iron Works Gym. He was known to be a people person, always wanting to make them feel good. He didn’t like seeing people in pain and would often put his hands on them and pray for them. He would commonly go out of his way to help a stranger. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his wife and children. He was a giving, gentle and kind-hearted man who loved life. He enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley music. After a hard day’s work, they would go places and visit people. In addition to his wife Janet, he leaves his sons, Norman Cote Jr. of Putnam, David Cote (Lori) of E. Killingly, Roger Cote of Putnam, and Raymond Cote (Chari) of E. Killingly; his daughter, Susan Cote of Dayville; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Winners
Top: Mayor Barney Seney gives the Judges' Choice trophy to Terry from The Stomping Grounds . Above: Seney gives the People's Choice trophy to Sean from the Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub. Photos courtesy of WINY Radio.
'Soulful' Singing
Souls on Fire entertained the crowd at the Savor the Flavor - Pasta event Sept. 8. Linda Lemmon photo.
'Savoring' the
fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Savor the Flavor - Pasta raised funding for the Daily Bread pretty quick.
Recreation Director Wilfred Bousquet said the tickets sold out quickly and 500 people tasted the pasta offerings from competing restaurants at Rotary Park.
Bousquet said the ballots were changed, expediting the judging.
And when the tastings were done, ballots counted, the winner of the People's Choice was The Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub followed by the Courthouse. The Judges' Choice winner was the Stomping Grounds and two restaurants tied for second, Renee's and 85 Main.
The change in the ballots allowed for only single servings.
Bousquet characterized it as "more of a sprint." The moral of the story, he added, is that the four-year old event is now more of a lunch event, maybe from noon to 12:30 for next year.
The first year, the fund-raiser started as a chili cook-off. Then Savor the Flavor covered corn, bacon and Sept. 8, pasta.
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