The goal for the Woodstock Academy boys’ lacrosse team is to make the Class M state tournament for the first time since 2016.
That may not seem like all that long ago, but consider, at that time this year’s seniors were freshmen,
To accomplish their goal, the Centaurs must win two of their final six games.
There are winnable games out there, including the game at Rockville-Stafford, which came into the week at 1-9, and the game at Montville (0-9).
But after that, it gets dicey. All of the other remaining games for the Centaurs are also on the road and they come against Waterford which downed the Centaurs 18-5 in their first meeting; Fitch, a 9-8 loss; St. Bernard-Wheeler, a 7-3 loss and Norwich Free Academy, a 10-9 overtime win.
“They’re tough games, but they are the type of games that this program needs to start winning. Those are the teams we have to beat to make the next jump. I thought the composure we showed in that NFA game was amazing, but somehow, we’ve lost it,” said Woodstock Academy coach Michael Noel.
The Centaurs quickly came down to earth in their next game, a 13-4 loss at Stonington April 30.
It took a strong second half by the Centaurs to post an 11-4 win over the Norwich Tech-Windham Tech cooperative May 2.
That win evened the Woodstock Academy record at 5-5.
The Centaurs didn’t get out of the box very quickly and led only, 5-3, against Norwich Tech-Windham Tech at the half.
“We were disappointed with that. We beat them 14-0 the first time so being only up by two going into the third quarter was a little bit of a shock,” said Woodstock Academy sophomore Guerin Favreau.
So, Noel mixed it up in the second half. “We moved Guerin down to attack and he started to feed people and he ended up feeding Libby,” Noel said.
Libby was more than happy to get the free lunch. The junior finished with five goals in the game, giving him 17 on the season.
“At the beginning of the first half when I was playing middie, they were pressing me really close and didn’t let me get the ball at all. Then I went to ‘X’ and they completely dropped the press and it was a lot easier to get the ball and distribute it to other players,” Favreau said.
Favreau finished with two goals and three assists while Ethan Haass chipped in with a hat trick for the Centaurs.
It was a much better ending to the week than the start. The Centaurs went to Stonington and never got off the bus.
“I was very disappointed with that game,” Noel said. “We were lethargic; they didn’t have any energy at all.”
One of the key reasons for that could have been the absence of Ethan Holcomb. The team captain pulled his hamstring in the win over NFA and missed most of that game and was also on the sideline for both the Stonington and Norwich Tech-Windham Tech games.
Noel said Holcomb started practicing light again late in the week and will be back in time for the Rockville-Stafford match. In Holcomb’s absence, the Centaurs offense sputtered against the Bears.
Austen LeDonne had a pair of tallies while Favreau (21 goals, 19 assists this season) added a goal and two assists and Sean McCusker added the other. Colin Liscomb, despite giving up 13 goals, played well in the cage, making 19 saves.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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caption, page 6:
Teeing Off
The Centaurs Linda St Laurent tees off against Auburn at the Quinnatisset Country Club May 3. Photo courtesy of Joel Tretheway/The Woodstock Academy.
It was about time.
The Woodstock Academy girls’ golf team had become road warriors through the first month of the season.
All seven of their first matches were played on the road including three in a row last week in the Hartford area.
May 3, the Centaurs finally returned to home sweet home at the Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson.
“It’s pretty nice. The girls were excited about getting back to their home course after playing a variety of different courses. Some were not that difficult, others were really difficult. All of them were wet. We’re excited about being back at home and the majority of the matches we have left will be here at Quinnatisset,” said Woodstock Academy coach Earl Semmelrock.
The Centaurs have nine matches left this season, six will be played at home, including the ECC championship on May 30.
The Centaurs clearly enjoyed a little home cooking as they put together their best score of the season versus Auburn, Mass., May 3.
Despite the very soggy conditions, the Centaurs raised their mark to 5-2 with a 196-202 victory over the Rockets.
Three players broke 50 for the Centaurs. Kailey LaChappelle was medalist with a 45 while Linda St. Laurent shot a personal best 46. Katherine Harrington chipped in with a 47.
The Centaurs needed the low scoring as Auburn also had three players finish below the 50-stroke mark.
It capped off a pretty good week for the Centaurs who split their four matches against non-league opponents.
The best showing, outside of May 3, came at the Copper Hill Golf Club in East Granby May 1.
It was the Centaurs first time breaking 200 as a team with a 199-232 win over host Suffield.
“Copper Hill is a similar course to Quinnatisset,” Semmelrock said. “It’s not that long. It’s fairly open and the greens were in good condition and we put together a pretty good performance there.”
LaChappelle shot a 47 and St. Laurent added a 49 to lead Woodstock Academy to the win. Harrington tossed in a 53.
Semmelrock said, considering the weather, the girls’ scores are pretty good.
“We haven’t had much time to practice. The (driving) range (at Quinnatisset) has not been opened. Even on the days we can practice, it’s been busy. We get five or six holes in,” Semmelrock said.
Because of the wetness, the back-9 at Quinnatisset has not been opened for play which leaves teams competing with membership for course time.
“They’re getting reps though now. This was our fifth match in a row (against Auburn) and I’m seeing progress. They are learning to think on the golf course because they are playing every day, getting nine holes in, counting a score and in pressure situations because it’s in a match. I’m seeing them respond to that,” Semmelrock said.
The Centaurs lost in their opener to the week against Glastonbury at Glastonbury Hills Golf Club, 200-225.
LaChappelle and St. Laurent again led the way with a 52 and 53, respectively. Maria Santucci checked in with a 59.
The two teams have played home-and-home matches for the last five years and Semmelrock said the greens at Glastonbury Hills are probably the fastest the Centaurs will experience this season.
“It’s nice, but it’s tough. It’s very long. The greens are hilly and tricky. They all have their challenges, five different courses in five days, you have to adjust to different green speeds. (Copper Hill) was a little slower than Glastonbury and Wampanoag,” the Woodstock Academy coach said.
The Centaurs took on Northwest Catholic and East Hartford at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford May 2.
It was a course that Semmelrock, an avid golfer, had not played on in some 35 years.
The Centaurs also had never played Northwest Catholic, the host team, nor East Hartford ever in the sport.
The host Indians downed the Centaurs 219-228, but Woodstock Academy got the split with a 228-292 win over the Hornets.
“It was a very hard golf course, much longer than they are used to and the scores were reflective of that,” Semmelrock said.
St. Laurent posted the best total, a 52, while Harrington carded a 58 and LaChappelle a 59.
“I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen. I don’t really care about the wins and losses because to qualify for the States, it’s just the team score against the course. We will see how we make out over the rest of the season,” Semmelrock said.
Boys Down New London
A light week for the boys. The Centaurs raised their record to 3-1-1 with a 7-0 win over New London at the Great Neck Country Club in Waterford April 30. The Centaurs finished with a 179 total, important because the ECC championship will be played at Great Neck later on in May.
Liam McDermott finished as medalist for a first time with a 41. Senior Mason Stewart was only two strokes back of McDermott while Robert Maheu carded a 47 and Owen Borski finished with a 48.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
3-state race
PUTNAM — The non-profit Hartford Marathon Foundation has created a sustainable team relay race concept that spans 95 miles and three states. RiMaConn Relay, Aug. 24, is a day-long endurance running event that will host three-member and six-member teams to experience a scenic course that traverses 21 towns, starting in Lincoln, R.I., running into Massachusetts, and then through Connecticut to end in Hartford. Putnam will serve as a relay exchange point, hosting volunteers and cheerleaders as race participants meet up with their teams traveling through.
Some 85 percent of the course uses a network of scenic multi-use trails, including the Blackstone River Bikeway, Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Air Line Trail, Hop River Trail and Charter Oak Greenway. Register at: www.runthegreenway.com
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Woodstock public schools
Monday: Bacon hamburgers, carrots, fruit. Tuesday: Waffles, sausage, fruit. Wednesday: Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, wax beans, fruit. Thursday: Beef and bean burrito, fruit. Friday: Pizza, fruit.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday: Crispy chicken sandwiches, veggies with dip. Tuesday - Wolf Meal: Beef burgers with cheese, sherbet. Wednesday: Bosco cheese-filled breadsticks, marinara sauce, pasta, broccoli. Thursday: Crispy chicken tenders, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn. Friday: Putnam Special Pizza, salad.
Putnam High
Monday: Roasted buffalo-style chicken or spicy chicken sandwiches. Tuesday: Waffle bar or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday: Lasagna rollups or turkey bacon panini. Thursday: Chicken potato bowls or chef salad. Friday: French bread pizza or fish dinner.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Pizza, celery and carrot sticks with dipping sauce, fruits. Tuesday: - Brunch for Lunch: French toast sticks, egg patties or sausage, fruits. Wednesday: Chicken tenders, broccoli, carrots, fruit, chocolate chip cookies. Thursday: Cheese quesadilla, corn, refried beans, fruits. Friday: Chef's choice.
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