Hannah Chubbuck scored the goal.
Haley Armstrong did a lot of the work.
Together, the two combined to lift The Woodstock Academy field hockey team to its first-ever win over East Lyme, 2-1, in overtime Oct. 12 at the Bentley Athletic Complex turf field.
“This is historic,” said coach Lauren Gagnon. It was also a little déjà vu for Gagnon.
She recalled the first win the program had ever garnered against Norwich Free Academy. It was in overtime in a mid-October game. “It’s huge,” Gagnon said.
It also kept the Centaurs hopes alive for an Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament bid.
The Academy (4-5 overall) is now tied with East Lyme (4-8) for the fourth spot, and the final tournament bid, with a 4-4 record.
“I think this is the confidence boost that we needed going into the second half of the season. We felt good after the Enfield game, but we are over the moon after this one,” Gagnon said.
The game was played in the midfield for the most part with few quality shots.
Neither team scored in the first half, but Avery Jones broke the ice with her fifth goal of the season just 3 minutes, 23 seconds into the second half.
Jones took a pass from freshman Sydney Cournoyer and guided it with the backside of her stick, a reverse sweep, into the East Lyme net.
“That was probably one of the prettiest goals I’ve seen at the high school level ever,” Gagnon said. “We worked on reverse sweeps (Wednesday) and when it was appropriate to use them, different techniques and how to lift it. She threw it all together and did it perfectly.”
East Lyme, however, knotted the game when Katie Durkee, from just inside the shooting circle, sent a ball to the far post of the cage and slipped it in with 15:37 to play.
Shots were hard to come by in the game with little activity in front of the cage.
That was especially true after the Durkee goal as the two sides settled into a midfield battle to send the game into the extra period.
But 5:15 into overtime, the Centaurs put something together.
Jones sent the ball ahead to Armstrong who was inside the shooting circle to the left of East Lyme keeper Lydia Swan.
Armstrong’s stick-handling allowed her to retain control of the ball and forced Swan to come out of the net.
“My heart was in my throat when she drew the goalie out,” Gagnon said. “Sometimes, when you get the goalie out, you just flub it into their pads.”
That didn’t happen.
Instead, Armstrong made a nice cross to Chubbuck, coming in from the right, who had an empty cage to shoot at.
“It was wide open,” Chubbuck said with a smile.
It was the fourth goal of the season for the junior and the first assist of the season for Armstrong.
Oct. 13 --- Volleyball
Woodstock 3 -- Bacon 0
The Woodstock Academy volleyball team geared up for its second showdown of the season with the undefeated Killingly Redgals Oct. 9 at the Fieldhouse with a 3-0 win over Bacon Academy Oct. 13 in Colchester.
The Centaurs breezed through the match, winning the first two sets by identical 25-9 scores and taking the third, 25-7.
Natalie Low had eight kills for the Centaurs (11-3, 4-1 Eastern Connecticut Conference Division II) who won their eight straight match.
Libero Maddy Gronski had 12 digs while Hannah Walley contributed 10 service points.
Oct. 9
Woodstock 3 -- Coventry 0
Paula Hernandez had 18 kills and Natalie Low added 12 as the Centaurs won their fifth straight match. Woodstock (8-3) posted wins of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-20. Sammie Orlowski had 33 assists for the Centaurs
Cross Country --- Oct. 10
Centaur runners fare well, but Bears prevail
The Woodstock Academy girls’ cross-country team finished second and third individually but suffered losses in Stonington.
Freshman Stella Dipippo finished the 5K course in 21 minutes, 22 seconds, just 30 seconds behind Stonington’s Lily Anderson with senior teammate Hannah Matsas in close pursuit.
Matsas finished third in 21:48, but the Bears took four of the next five spots to prevail, 24-32.
The win pushed Stonington (9-1 overall) ahead of The Woodstock Academy in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division II standings. Stonington ran the table in dual meets, going 5-0, while the Centaurs are 4-1. The results of the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship do figure into the league’s final standings so the Centaurs (6-1) will have another shot at the Bears.
Emily McClure finished third for the Centaurs, seventh overall, in 23:59.
Megan Gohn (9th) and Amelie Pressel (11th) rounded out the top five.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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Beverley McNally
PUTNAM — Beverley B. McNally, 93, died Oct. 7, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. Beverley was born Aug. 8, 1924, in Providence, the second child of Henry Ernest and Constance Hird Burgess. Her family moved to Putnam and she attended Putnam schools, graduating with honors in 1942. She attended Mitchell College in New London and transferred to UConn. She received her bachelor’s in zoology in 1946. While a student, she was a member of the 1944
National Intercollegiate Archery championship team. Upon graduation, she began teaching junior high school science in the Putnam school system. In 1965, she received her master’s in education from UConn. She retired from teaching in 1985, following a 39-year active and noteworthy career.
Beverley served on many local and national education associations, and served in several elected positions, including president of the Putnam Education Association. She was a charter member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators.
She was instrumental in forming the National Honor Society of the Putnam Middle School. She was a member of the Putnam Women’s Club, where she also served as president, and of the Day Kimball Hospital Woman’s Board. She was on the Rainbow Court Order of the Amaranth, a social and philanthropic organization basing its membership on Masonic heritage and promoting the practice of truth, faith, wisdom and charity.
Beverley married her high school sweetheart, Frank W. McNally, on July 4, 1948. Frank predeceased Beverley in July of this year soon after they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They lived in W. Thompson where they built a home. In addition to her many professional duties, Beverley actively supported her three children academically and in music, sports, 4-H and scouting. Frank and Bev together created a lovely and welcoming home and garden where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
In addition to her husband, Frank, Bev is predeceased by her sister Alva King. She leaves her brother Russell Burgess; three children: Constance Crawford (Chris), Alison McNally (Bobby German) and Frank W. McNally Jr. (Sandra); grandchildren: Christopher Crawford Jr. (Karen), Alison Crawford, Alex Crawford (Taylor), Jason McNally, and Lisa McNally; great-grandchildren: Chloe, Ryan, Camden and Casey Crawford.
Beverley, who wouldn’t be caught without her pearls, will be remembered for her feisty and caring spirit. She had the mind of a scientist yet loved a touch of whimsy. She set a beautiful table. Her distinctive “school-teacher” voice could raise the roof and was always paired with a joyful smile. She loved the Red Sox, UConn basketball and ice cream.
A Funeral Service was Oct. 17 at the Christ Church in Pomfret followed by interment. Donation: Christ Episcopal Church Flower Fund. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Brenda L. Aiken
DANIELSON — Brenda Lynn (Challinor) Aiken, 59, of Danielson, died Oct. 11, 2017, at Davis Place. She was born on June 15, 1958, in Putnam, to James and Gloria (Tetreault) MacKenzie.
She married Kenneth Aiken at 16 years old. This December would have marked 44 years of marriage.
Brenda lived all her life in Connecticut with her family. Many years ago, she worked at Superior Bakery with her husband Kenneth. Brenda enjoyed babysitting her nieces and nephews when they were younger and spending time with her family and friends. Some of her favorite things to do included going to bingo, the casino and shopping, playing Yahtzee and Scat, and sharing a good conversation. Brenda had a heart of gold and always did whatever she could to make others happy.
She leaves her daughter Tara Aiken and her long-term companion Daniel Paine, both of Putnam; her grandsons: Jared Jordan and Oliver Paine, both of Putnam; her brothers Dennis Challinor of Thompson, Robert Challinor of Rittman, Ohio, and James MacKenzie of Thompson; her sister Patricia Sargent of Putnam; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents James and Gloria MacKenzie, her husband Kenneth Aiken, her brothers Richard Challinor, Michael Challinor, David Challinor, and William MacKenzie, and her sister Kathleen Fague.
The Funeral and Cremation were private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Barbara J. Lamb
THOMPSON — Barbara J. (Tourtellotte) Lamb, 69, of Quaddick Town Farm Rd., died Oct. 13, 2017, at home. She was the wife of Thomas W. Lamb. Born in 1948 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Marshall and Florence (Baranski) Tourtellotte Sr. Barbara was a graduate of Killingly High School.
On Oct. 18, 1969, she was united in marriage to Thomas Lamb at Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret.
Mrs. Lamb worked for more than 20 years as a home health aide for Community Home and Healthcare. She enjoyed gardening and flowers and family.
Mrs. Lamb was a member of the East Thompson Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary where she was their secretary for many years.
In addition to her husband Thomas, she leaves her son, Stephen Lamb (Elizabeth); her daughter, Kelly Lamb of Thompson; and her sister Elizabeth Gingras of Virginia. She was predeceased by her son Andrew Lamb; and her brother Marshall Tourtellotte Jr.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Miranda Lyn St. Jean
STERLING — Miranda Lyn St. Jean, 28, of Porter Pond Rd., died Oct. 11, 2017, at Wm. W. Backus Hospital. Born in 1988 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Judy A. (Sharpe) Chauvette of Coventry, R.I., and Timothy R. St. Jean of Killingly.
Miranda was an amazing baker and cook, always tweaking every recipe to make it her own. She loved all animals from dogs and cats to snakes and mice. As a little girl she would sneak all the strays into the house.
Miranda had a green thumb and worked at Logee’s greenhouse as a teenager. She took great pride in her gardening skills especially her morning glories and vegetable garden. She saw beauty where there was none and would plant flowers and trees so the rest of us could see it too.
Miranda worked for a short while as a material handler at Staples prior to becoming disabled due to her special heart.
She leaves her fiancé Brandon Deojay; her daughter Ailise Chatelle; her father Timothy and stepmother Robin St. Jean; her mother Judy A. (Sharpe) and stepfather Leo Chauvette Jr.; her stepfather Shawn Credit of Moosup; brother Timothy St. Jean Jr.; seven stepbrothers Chris Woodman, Jack Thornton, and Jason, Branden, Kyle, Leo, III, and Ryan Chauvette; two stepsisters Holly Ellis and Tanya Credit; her best friend Sharon Deojay. Miranda was predeceased by her grandparents Florence St. Jean, Sissy Sharpe and Albert Sharpe Sr. as well as Nicholas Chatelle.
Donations to help cover her final expenses can be brought to any bankHometown, c/o The Miranda St. Jean memorial fund account #25860860 or mailed directly to Judy Chauvett, 17 Larch Dr., Coventry, RI 02816. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory 104 Church St., Putnam.
Marie Jeanne Benoit
NAPLES, Fla. — Marie Jeanne Benoit died Oct. 5, 2017.
She was born on Jan. 21, 1936, and as a child attended private schools. She married Leo Benoit in 1957.
As the wife of an Army husband she traveled to many places. Eventually she settled on Lake Bungay in Woodstock. She worked for American White Cross as a customer service rep and then she worked at the ARC until her retirement. Marie had a great love for animals, cats and dogs but her favorite was Sally, who was waiting at Heaven’s door for her.
She leaves sons: Sherman Benoit (Mary) of Putnam, Lennard Benoit of Naples; a daughter Liane Johnson of Ironton, Mo.; a sister Yolande Bangert of Arizona; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years Leo Benoit and a granddaughter Karen Johnson.
Services were private
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Fire disaster hits
home in CT
WOODSTOCK — In between classes at The Woodstock Academy Oct. 11, assistant football coach Greg Alexander stood in the hallway, watching the CNN coverage of the wildfires in California.
For many, it’s just another natural disaster in a short span of time: The water that inundated Houston, the wind that tore apart the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and now, the fires that have ravaged the wine valley area of northern California.
Alexander knows that area of California well.
His hometown is Santa Rosa, one of the hardest hit areas.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Alexander said. “You see the block that you grew up on – all the houses are gone. The parks are gone, the elementary school that I went to is gone. You try to keep in touch with people at home and make sure everybody is OK and you begin to think, where do they go from here?”
Alexander is not sitting on the sidelines.
He and his wife, Megan, are putting together care packages including items such as hygiene products and clothing for a couple of designated families. They also hope to put together some general care packages that will be sent to shelters where those who have suddenly found themselves homeless now reside.
“If people want to help out, gift cards are great, clothes, or anything like that,” Alexander said. “As long as we’re collecting things, we’re going to ship boxes home.”
Alexander can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
“I’ve called my friends and they’re telling me that it looks like a war zone. There is nothing left. A lot of them are still in shock. Luckily, most of the people I’ve talked to, their family and friends are accounted for,” Alexander said.
Santa Rosa is about an hour north of San Francisco.
Alexander and his family moved to Santa Rosa when he was 3. He spent about 20 years in the city of approximately 175,000. He went to Santa Rosa Junior College where he played football in 2006-07 and later returned to coach after he graduated from the University of Hawaii.
His parents were lucky.
They retired and moved to North Carolina a month ago.
His wife’s family still lives in Santa Rosa as do many of his friends.
The home where he grew up is no longer.
“A lot of my friends had just bought a house there and it’s gone. There are a lot of different emotions and memories. I can’t imagine what those people are going through,” Alexander said.
A friend sent him a photo of the street that he grew up on. He remembered it having 40-50 houses on it. “There’s nothing, nothing,” Alexander said.
Alexander said the threat of a wildfire is always there.
But, generally, those took place well to the south of Santa Rosa in the Los Angeles area.
There were some recent close calls, however.
Alexander recalled a recent fire, the “Valley Fire” in Middletown, Calif., about 90 minutes north that killed four in 2015 and was “pretty devastating.”
“In the city, though, you feel ‘insulated.’ You don’t think it will get to that point. Sure enough, it did. I think there was always a sense of, hopefully, this doesn’t happen to us, but you can’t control that,” Alexander said of dealing with a natural disaster like the one that has hit his hometown.
The effects of which may still not be fully evident.
“How do you pick yourself up and move forward? It seems insurmountable. Are they going back to work? Did their work(place) burn down? What are they going to do about income? Are they insured? There are so many different levels,” Alexander said.
On team
WORCESTER — The Assumption College Department of Athletics has announced that Jonathan Wahl, of Chepachet, has earned a coveted spot on the 2017 Assumption College Men’s Cross Country team. Wahl, Class of 2021, is competing during the Greyhounds’ fall season.