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Dedicated Season
The Woodstock Academy dedicated its girls’ ice hockey season to the founder of the program, Paul Lee, who died in September. The presentation of a plaque to the Lee family took place prior to the season opener Dec. 15 at the Jahn Ice Rink in Pomfret. The girls’ team will also wear a memorial patch on their jerseys in games this season. Photo contributed by Sean Dutson.




The Woodstock Academy Centaurs girls’ ice hockey team hung in with the E. Catholic/Glastonbury/South Windsor cooperative in the first period.
But three goals in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second by the Eagles put Woodstock Academy back on its heels and the Centaurs fell in their opener Dec. 15, 9-3, at the Jahn Ice Rink at Pomfret School.
The Centaurs were hoping to have a good showing against the Eagles.
The Eagles play in the Southern Connecticut Conference in girls’ hockey, one of the few established leagues in the state for the sport which is not sanctioned by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
“Their coach (Frank Usseglio) has been great. I’ve been having many discussions with him because he’s involved in the process and I think (the Centaurs quality of play) is a factor. Are we able to hang with these other teams? They’re one of the good ones. They have done extremely well with their program,” said Woodstock Academy co-head coach Jeff Boshka. “The great news is that we’re young. We’re going to get better and better and the word is getting out. More and more kids are interested and want to be a part of it.”
Getting into a league, like the SCC, would also give the Centaurs a little more to shoot for in terms of season goals and postseason play.
“Our seniors were saddened to hear that we weren’t in a league. They really thought that was going to happen. It was heart-breaking for them because they have worked hard, built the program and have been with us since the start, but that hasn’t stopped them in any way, they’re still working hard every day,” Boshka added.
Senior captain Ellie Jellison kept the Centaurs in the game for as long as she could.
East Catholic took the lead just 3 minutes, 39 seconds into the game when Meredith Mack converted.
But the Centaurs responded.
Jellison came off the bench on a line change and picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone. She skated over the blue line, made one cut and sent the puck sailing over the left shoulder of Eagles’ keeper Gianna Cormier for the first goal of the season for the Centaurs with 9:50 to play in the first period.
“She’s one of those players who has a nose for the goal. She loves to shoot and she’s not shy about it,” Boshka said.
Carly Sanzo took a pass from Meghan Croyle and answered the Jellison goal with one of her own just 1:23 later.
Jellison tied the game with 6:36 left in the first but Mack got her second with 5:03 to play and that, 3-2, score stood through the end of the period.
The Eagles took control when Victoria Amaral, Sanzo and Allison DiPrato put in unanswered goals to start the second.
“It puts you back on your heels, but we didn’t give up. I love the spirit of this team. We have a good attitude that way, we give it our all,” said co-head coach Sean Farrell.
Jellison got her hat trick with 5:51 left in the second period.
The Centaurs next play on Christmas Eve when they host Auburn, Mass., at noon.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy