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Youth Team
Members of the Pomfret Senior Youth Lacrosse team. Courtesy photo.
The Pomfret Senior “A” Youth Lacrosse team completed the regular season with an undefeated 6-0-1 record and was seeded third in the top division of the Connecticut Valley Youth Lacrosse League playoffs. The league stretched from Pittsfield, Mass., to Pomfret, with 60 towns in-between.
Pomfret’s quarterfinal matchup was with the one team they did not beat all season: West Hartford. Back on May 7, Pomfret and West Hartford battled to a 7-7 tie. This time around it would be very different. In the first minute of play, Pomfret jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back on their way to a 12-3 victory. It was Evan Cunningham’s strong face-off skills that dominated the action. Evan won the first three face-offs which then resulted in fast-break goals. Nathan Gentile would notch the first one off a Max Paro assist, and then Cunningham would get the next two on his own. West Hartford would get on the board at the five minute mark, but Cunningham would get that one back later in the period to give Pomfret a 4-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter continued to be all Pomfret. The Paro to Gentile combination worked again to start the stanza, and then Paro would notch an unassisted goal to up the score to 6-1. Cunningham would tally his fourth of the day with seconds left on the first half clock off a Paro assist to put Pomfret in a commanding lead.
Key players in the dominate start were long-stick defensemen Lex Bosio, Josh Bernier and Conor Quinn. They played every minute of the first half and kept West Hartford to one goal. Also providing fresh legs at the midfield were Corbin Schneider, Christian Santangini and Cal Wilcox. All three played tenacious defense and cleared the ball flawlessly. Giving the attack some depth was Josh McFadden. Josh’s ball control and hustle provided valuable possession time for the Pomfret squad.
In the second half, West Hartford would score two goals, but Pomfret would real off five of its own: Peyton Durand would get three of those goals with assists going to Tucker Sheehan, Cunningham and Gentile; Cunningham would get and unassisted goal (his fifth of the day) and Ryan Black would get his name in the scoring column off a Cunningham assist. Despite the offensive show, it was Pomfret goalie Carson Hadley who received the game ball today. Hadley only allowed three balls to get behind him and made a dozen stops off a team that had scored seven goals just weeks before.
With the quarterfinal victory, Pomfret would match up in a semifinal game against Westfield. Not having played each other in the regular season, both teams were not sure what to expect. Pomfret would open the scoring early in the first quarter when Tucker Sheehan would find Nathan Gentile on a nice cut to the net. The Pomfret lead was short-lived, though, as Westfield would tally the next three goals before the end of the quarter. The long-stick defense of Lex Bosio, Josh Bernier and Cal Wilcox had trouble keeping up with the speedy Westfield attack, but the team as a whole needed to play better team-defense to take the pressure off goalie Carson Hadley.
In the second quarter, Ryan Black would give Pomfret life when he scored a nice quick-stick goal off a Max Paro assist to bring the score to 2-3. Unfortunately, Pomfret couldn’t contain the Westfield offense, and they scored the next two goals to stretch the lead to 2-5. Peyton Durand would keep Pomfret in the game with a nice goal off a Sheehan assist, but seconds before the half Pomfret would have a breakdown and Westfield would score to take a 6-3 lead.
At halftime, Pomfret’s goal was to contain the Westfield offense and continue to peck away at the deficit. Despite better defense in the third quarter, the offense just couldn’t buy a goal. The Westfield goalie made numerous big saves that stymied much of the Pomfret attempts to score. Evan Cunningham scored Pomfret’s lone goal if the quarter, but it was sandwiched between goals by Westfield. The score going into the last 10 minutes of play was 8-4 in favor of Westfield.
In the last stanza, Pomfret took advantage of some Westfield penalties and finally got its offense on track. Sam Paul would convert on a Sheehan assist to make the score 8-5, but Westfield would counter with one of its own at the six minute mark to create another four-goal deficit for Pomfret. With William Liscomb converting to the attack and Isaiah Price working the transition game a midfield, Pomfret started to make its move to get back in the game. Cunningham would score the next two goals off assists from Sheehan to make the score 7-9 with two minutes left in the game. Pomfret would dominate play in the last two minutes but just couldn’t get the break they needed to mount that come-from-behind win.
Despite the season ending loss to a very talented Westfield team, it was a great season for the 7th and 8th graders that made up the Senior “A” team. They represented our local area well with sportsmanship and fine play throughout the spring season.
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Joel Angus
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s sport shout out goes to Nelson “Buzz” King, the former Putnam High School principal. King, who graduated as a Clipper in 1956, was a standout cross country and track star as well as being coach Jim Greenhalgh’s “right hand man.” King also celebrates a birthday today. Happy Birthday, Buzz.
The spring sports season was one of the most successful ever for the Hyde-Woodstock School’s lacrosse team as the stickmen advanced further into the New England tournament than any other team in the school’s history. The Wolfpack advanced after capturing the SENE championship.
The Hyde lacrosse team started postseason competition with a convincing 18-3 victory over conference rival Rocky Hill School in the SENE finals, giving it the impetus needed in advancing to the New England play.
“We’re very proud of what the varsity lacrosse squad accomplished this year,” said Kevin Folan, one of the lacrosse coaches at Hyde. “We hope to continue to build on this success in order to win our own New England championship in the near future.”
The team entered its quarterfinal matchup with energy and determination. In a game that was very evenly matched the Wolfpack emerged victorious, defeating Gould Academy 11-9. In the semifinals Hyde lost to a very talented Dexter School team 13-8, with the winner eventually capturing its third New England championship. Reaching the semifinals was significant for Hyde, as last year they were dropped in the first game of the New England tournament.
The loss in the semis concluded the team’s season with a 12-6 record. The Wolfpack placed a number of players on the SENE All-Conference team. Senior Connor McLaughlin, was the conference player-of-the year and another senior Peter Markham, the conference goalie-of-the-year.
Local Golfers Fare Well In Divisions…
Putnam High School golfer Spencer Salvas, playing as an individual entry in the CIAC Division IV golf competition at Crestbrook Park Golf Club in Watertown, represented the local area with pride as he finished second one stroke of the winning pace. Salvas posted a three over par 74 on the par 71 layout, a single shot behind medalist Nick Harrington of Parish Hill who posted a 73.
The second-place finish allows Salvas to move on to the New England high school championships at Bretwood Golf Club in Keene, N.H., on June 17. He was also accorded Connecticut All-State honors.
Tourtellotte Memorial High School, also playing in the Division IV championships, finished 16th in the field with an aggregate score of 362. Mike Jezierski, the Tigers’ top golfer, finished 10th overall in the individual competition posting a score of 80.
The Killingly Redmen of coach Kevin Marcoux, competing in the Division III Championship at Timberlin Golf Club in Kensington, finished 9th with a team score of 339. The Redmen were paced by the Aitken twins, John and Drew. Drew Aitken finished fourth in the individual competition with a three over par 75 over the par 72 layout. John Aitken was fifth in the field one stroke behind his brother with a 76. The twin brothers, only freshman, earned All-State honors for their performance.
PSA Grad Moving On to College Play…
Joel Angus, who was an integral piece in the success of the 22-8 Putnam Science Academy Mustangs basketball team, recently announced that he’ll attend Division I Stony Brook University on Long Island as a walk-on player in September on a full EOP scholarship.
Last season the 6-foot, 4-inch Angus was the fourth leading scorer for the Scientists of coach Tom Espinosa with 10 points per game, while hauling in 6.1 rebounds per contest. Stony Brook University is an NCAA Division I university that competes in the America East Conference. The Seawolves are coached by former UConn guard Steve Pikiell.
Angus, who is an excellent student, was recruited by several Division I and II schools last season.
Tribute to a Great Lady…
The Tri-Town American Legion senior and junior teams, led by coaches Paul Faucher, Dan Durand, Tyler Smith and John Foucault demonstrated what true sportsmanship is all about when they attended the wake of my mother, Georgette Coderre. The players and coaching staff came through offering condolences to our family attired in their game uniforms. Their presence was duly noted by the family and the hundreds of people in attendance. It was an indication of the values that the coaching staff place on the players, not only on the field but off the field as well as good citizens.
From The Annals Of Putnam
Sports History…
1905: Lineup for the Canadian Athletic league Club: CAC of Putnam: Tetreault 2B, Gireau SS, Dumas LF, Daley CF, Brodeur RF, Cregan 3B, Morse 1B, Morin C, Deloge P. Andems of Grosvenordale: Samlley CF-3B, A. Johnson 3B-P, J. Callahan C, Marcustry SS, Gadbois 1B, Foster 2B, Coderre CF, Murphy LF, Fontaine P, J. Johnson RF, Frudenthal Substitute.
Putnam’s CAC took 2 out of 3 games. CAC record for the year was 17-5 with one tie. Other players throughout the year were: Shaw, Marion, Laroque, D. Magnan, Foley, Pechie, Lizotte, H. Magnan. Deloge, the pitcher, was hired only for the last game of the season. The manager was Rivard. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: You can’t get to second base without taking your foot off of first.
Robert W. Randall
CHARLTON — Robert Walder Randall, 96, of Charlton, formerly of Woodstock, died June 3, 2013. He was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Whitman, Mass., to Ida May (Coots) and Ray Allan Randall. Robert graduated from Whitman High School in 1934 and then went on to receive an accounting and finance degree from Bentley College (University), Waltham, Mass.
He was in charge of accounting and financial management at Putnam Mills in Putnam. In 1940 he enlisted in the army to join the American involvement with WWII. He met a young enlistment office volunteer, Natalie Marie Winterburn, and married her on June 23, 1943. He went to Duke University with OCS studies and graduated with rank of second lieutenant. His assignment was oversees in Asia being stationed in Kuhn Ming and Shanghai, China.
After his discharge from the Army, he settled his young family in Hoxie, R.I.., working for Textron, Inc. where his duties were charge of company expansion and the implementation of financial systems in new plants in the U.S. He was recalled to service in the Korean conflict. He then moved his wife and two daughters to Putnam, where they would be closer to family.
In 1951 he returned to Putnam to become office manager of Winterburn Manufacturing and Electrical Company. He eventually purchased this company from family members and under his direction expanded usage of the patented DAZIC Electrical Controls internationally.
As a successful businessman, Robert became a member of the Board of Directors of the Citizens National Bank. He became chairman in 1960 and served in this position for some 25 years while the bank expanded to serve the local Windham County population. He donated generously to Day Kimball Hospital, QVCC, Woodstock Academy, St. Philips Episcopal Church, Bentley University and 20 or so additional charities and philanthropies. Bob deeply cared about the value of education and generously endowed funds to educate 10 family members thus allowing them a good foundation to succeed in life. He was a lover of classical music and collecting coins and stamps. He was a member of the Elks and within the last years of his life, joined the Masons.
He leaves his wife of 68 years, Natalie Marie (Winterburn) of Charlton; daughters Jennifer Jayne Male (Robert) of Tuxedo, N.Y., and Cynthia Marie Trifone of Putnam; three grandsons, Adam Trifone, Joshua Male (wife, Alison) and Jared Male; three great-grandchildren Lila, Phoebe and Lucas Male. He was predeceased by a grandson, Zachary Trifone, who died in July of 2002.
A Graveside Service was June 6 at the Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Mary A. Krawiec
PUTNAM — Mary A. Krawiec, 91, of Park Street, died June 6, 2013, unexpectedly in the arms of her daughter Anna. She was the wife of the late Michael Krawiec. Born in 1921 in Newmarket, N.H., she was the daughter of the late John and Teofila (Uzendowska) Fall.
On Nov. 11, 1929, Armistice Day, Mary and her family moved to Putnam. Mary attended Smith Street School in Putnam and worked her first job at Bonita Bedspread. In 1961 she worked as a winder and twister for Hale Manufacturing and retired 25 years later in August 1986. She married Michael Krawiec on May 18, 1946, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Mary and her husband Michael lived on Powhattan St. for nearly 35 years and after moved to Park St. They had two daughters, Dorothy and Anna. Anna later became her companion and caregiver after her husband died on June 25, 1997 and her daughter Dorothy died on Oct. 4, 2006.
Mrs. Krawiec loved to cook Polish food. She enjoyed reading the newspaper front to back and especially liked the Sunday comics. Mary was a proud woman and had a very loving heart. She was always kind to all animals and loved her cats.
Mary leaves her daughter, Anna Gardner of Putnam. She was predeceased by her daughter, Dorothy Ann Krawiec Lemire; her brother, Walter Fall; and her two sisters Anna Fall and Helen Boylan.
The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Genevieve Shippee
DAYVILLE — Genevieve E. Shippee 95, of High Street, died May 31, 2013, at the Westview Health Care Center. She was the wife of 68 years of Howard E. Shippee. He died Aug. 27, 2009.
She was born Jan. 28, 1918, in Providence, daughter of the late Clarence F. and Bertha G. (Nye) Williams Sr. She had made her home in Killingly all her life, a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Danielson, and had served on the Altar Guild. She had worked for 14 years at WT Grant as a sales clerk. She was a long time member of the Killingly Grange #112 and had served as Pomona. She was a member of the American Legion Post 21 Ladies Auxiliary in Danielson. She enjoyed crafts including crocheting. She leaves her daughter Lora Erskine of Dayville; grandchildren Ray Erskine of Dayville; Erica Willey (Justin) of Killingly; sister Eunice Goodman of Brooklyn; brothers Sidney Williams of Southbridge, Donald Williams of Danielson; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Ted Erskine; siblings Bertha Perry; Lillian Rondeau; Edith Steen; Eva Jodoin; Helen Causey; Ida Manuilow; Ernest Williams; Clarence Williams Jr.; Arthur Williams. The Funeral Service was June 5 at St. Alban’s Church, with burial in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. Alban’s Church; Hospice of NECT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or Killingly Grange, 801 Hartford Pike, Dayville, CT 06241. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Louis Desrosiers
THOMPSON/WOODSTOCK — Louis J. Desrosiers, 87, died June 8, 2013, at Masonic Care, Wallingford. He was born in Worcester, son of the late Louis H. and Elva M. (Maynard) Desrosiers and lived in Thompson most of his life, moving to Woodstock last year. He was retired from Johnson Construction Company, where he worked as a blaster. He was a WWII, U.S. Navy veteran. He leaves three sons, Louis Desrosiers of Sturbridge, Joseph Desrosiers of Thompson and Richard Desrosiers of Woodstock; a daughter, Sandra Bickford; four sisters, Lorraine Fielding of Arizona, Claire Reed of California, Elva Smith of Millbury, Mass., and Barbara Montville of Arizona. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.
Rotary Scholarship Winners
The Putnam Rotary Club recently awarded scholarships to local students. Winners standing with Paul Pikora, Putnam Rotary Club president, include: Briana Wrublaski (TMHS); Natalia Gil (TMHS), Kimberly Fafard (TMHS), Calyn Petre (TMHS), Jaylin Marie Greene (PHS); Carissa Lueth (TMHS), Sherry Deslauriers (PHS); Krystina Lewis (PHS); Ilea Peckham (PHS), John O'Brien Scholarship; Sarah Owen (WA); Cedar Hayes (PHS), Raymond Brousseau Scholarship; Ashley Stanley (TMHS) Leon Archambault Scholarship. Not pictured: Rachel Maryyanek (TMHS), Maurice Beaulac Scholarship. Linda Lemmon photo.