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The Putnam Science Academy soccer team. Courtesy photo.


PUTNAM — The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs are relishing the basketball court with successful boys’ and girls’ prep teams along with up and coming talent for the varsity programs but PSA didn’t want to stop there.
In a year where the school is making big strides by purchasing more land to expand PSA, building a new gymnasium and updating the current basketball court, the Mustangs added an elite soccer program. With a team of 24 fresh new faces with only one being from the U.S., the thought was it would take a while to get these student athletes to mesh and to learn how to play with one another. First game on the road in a showcase against the #8 team in the country, Martin Luther King High School, and the Mustangs tied 2-2 in a game they were in position to win.
Meshing didn’t take long at all.
The Mustangs in their most successful season in school history finished 12-1-2 with the lone loss coming at the hands of South Kent, the #2 ranked soccer program in New England. These Mustangs were dominant. Under first-year Head Coach Ivan Damulira, PSA shut out opponents 10 times in 15 games.
They outscored the opposition on the season 88-8 and scored in double digits three times while having three goal scorers reach double figures.
Class of 2020 Left Wing Felipe Luis found the back of the net a team high 20 times on 25 shots! The Lone American, Class of 2019 striker Vinny Knupp, scored 12 goals and tied for the team lead in assists with 9. Class of 2020 Anco Veiga, who played fewer minutes with the talent on his team, still provided a spark for Damulira scoring 11 goals on 12 shots for Putnam Science Academy.
It was truly a special season for the Mustangs who will have some replacing to do after losing leaders at key positions. Defensemen Tristan Erispe, center-mid-edger Gonzalez and right wing Michael Kutsanzira headline the seniors that will move on to college to continue to play soccer at a high level. Coach Damulira is happy with this team’s success this year as they laid down the blueprint of what Damulira is looking for out of his team and for the years to come at Putnam Science Academy.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Taking Part
The Woodstock Academy seniors Ashleigh Angle, left, and Ivy Gelhaus both participated in the Connecticut Girls’ Soccer Association Senior All-Star match Nov. 23 in Middletown. Angle was named the MVP of the game. Photo courtesy of Dennis Snelling.



WOODSTOCK — Ashleigh Angle enjoyed a rather nice conclusion to her high school soccer career Nov. 23.
The Woodstock Academy senior was named the Most Valuable Player for the Red team in a 1-0 victory over the Blue in the Connecticut Girls’ Soccer Association Senior All-Star game at Middletown High School.
“It felt really nice after a long season just to have something,” Angle said of the MVP award.
Angle, a midfielder for the Centaurs, became the first Woodstock Academy player to be named the MVP in a Senior All-Star game, according to coach Dennis Snelling.
Earlier last week, both Angle and Ivy Gelhaus were named Class L All-State performers and received the invite to play in the Senior game.
“It was really fun to play in and a really cool experience. I’ve never played in something like that before. It was really competitive, too,” Angle said.
Even though the two teams were just essentially handed their shirts and told to go out play, Angle said it wasn’t hard to quickly establish a little chemistry.
“There were so many super-talented players who were able to just pick it up and you could rely on all of the other players on the field,” Angle said.
Angle had the only tally in the match.
Angle said the ball came in from her left to the middle. She played the ball, splitting a couple of defenders, leaving her 1-on-1 with the keeper.
“I passed it to my left foot and tucked it into the corner,” Angle said.
In addition to Gelhaus, Angle said she also knew a couple of other players on the Red team.
“It was nice to have that competitive atmosphere again and I had a good time with the coaches and it was great to play with Ivy again,” Angle said of her last high school soccer match.
It was the first time in the last 15 years that the Academy had two All-State players in the same season in girls’ soccer.
Gelhaus finished with 19 goals and five assists this season
while Angle scored six goals and had two assists. Both were named first team Eastern Connecticut Conference All-Stars.
“They gave us a chance to win no matter who the opponent,” Snelling said of the two seniors. “They have been great captains and leaders and will be big shoes to fill as we move forward.” Angle said she hopes to continue to play soccer at the next level. She has been receiving interest at the Division III level.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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All Showcase
With the National Prep Showcase coming to a close this past weekend, players from the top prep programs in the country were acknowledged for their outstanding play. Putnam Science Academy’s Tyson Etienne received an All Showcase nod for helping the Mustangs win both games including a 20-point comeback performance vs Sunrise Christian Academy that resulted in a 85-82 overtime win. The Wichita State Shocker commit also added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a double-digit victory over Montverde. The Northeast Recruiting Report cut the list down to 10 and Etienne found himself at the top for his hard play and leadership in crucial moments for PSA. Courtesy photo.