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Juliette Hammer, left, and Sophia Gouveia, were recognized on Senior Day for the Woodstock Academy girls’ hockey co-op. Both enjoyed their three years on the ice in a Woodstock Academy uniform. Photo by Collin Singleton/Woodstock Academy.

Season comes to a close for Centaurs girls’ hockey
The Senior Day festivities were dominated by the Suffield Co-Op. As is tradition, the visiting team’s seniors are always introduced first. It took a while before the two Woodstock Academy seniors were introduced.
“We were at their Senior Day last week and I was able to go over and have a cup of coffee while they were announcing,” said coach Eric Roy said with a laugh.
Saturday’s contest was the second of a back-to-back for the two teams who did play the week before in Simsbury where Suffield held on for a 2-1 victory.
The Wildcats made sure it wasn’t as close this time as they handed Woodstock just its second loss by shutout this season, 4-0.
The loss marked the end of the season for the Centaurs who finish 7-13.
It also marked the last time in a Woodstock Academy uniform for the two seniors, Juliette Hammer from Ledyard High School and Sophia Gouveia from Wheeler High School.
Hammer came to the Centaurs three years ago as a sophomore, coming from playing co-ed hockey to play girls’ hockey.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” Hammer said of the ability to play hockey against fellow females.
She had been part of the Seahawks club team which is associated with the Eastern Connecticut Eagles which is a boys’ co-op program, that like Woodstock Academy for the girls, offers a place for most boys in the ECC to play the sport.
Hammer had been on skates since she was 3-years old in California. Her father was an avid hockey fan and had loved the idea of girls playing the sport.
But playing high school hockey against boys was not her cup of tea.
“After my freshman year of playing co-ed hockey, I was going to be done. I was not going to continue to play hockey. But one of my prior coaches told me his daughter was coming to Woodstock Academy to play all-girls hockey and he recommended that I do the same and it’s just been phenomenal to play girls’ hockey and have the opportunity to grow,” Hammer said.
She was proudly wearing the ‘C’ significant of team captain of the Centaurs and was a key defensive presence for the Centaurs.
“She is a gritty, tough defender, who grew as a leader in her time here,” Roy said of the player who also happens to own the program record for penalty minutes. “She became a shutdown defender and would always be matched up against the opponent’s best. I will always remember her passion for the game and her will to win.”
Hammer and Gouveia both had to deal with something else. Travel.
The voyage from Ledyard and North Stonington to Pomfret School and the Jahn Ice Rink for games and practices is time consuming.
“The only time it’s really tough is when we have a 9:45 p.m. practice because the boys’ team practiced before us. I truly would have made any trip to come and play for this team. I will drive three or four hours just to play,” Hammer said.
Gouveia’s father grew up playing hockey as did her older brother, Cameron. “I loved what Cameron did and I wanted to do the same,” Gouveia said.
But she, like Hammer, was disenchanted with playing co-ed hockey.
“Our only option was the Eastern Connecticut Eagles so when this co-op came together, I was all in. I was so excited from going from playing on an all-boys’ team to one with all girls,” Gouveia said.
Her game blossomed. She finishes as the program’s all-time career goals (35) and points (51) leader.
“She has a knack for finding the right place to be,” Roy said. “She quickly became one of our goal-scoring threats and year after year, she kept besting her season-high totals. I will always remember how you can watch Sophia play and often wonder, ‘How did she do that?”
For both Hammer and Gouveia, the time spent as a member of the Centaurs went by quickly.
“It’s gone by fast. I’m sad that it’s over but I’m happy that it happened,” Gouveia said.
Gouveia is also a very talented lacrosse player where she was named the Player of the Year in girls’ lacrosse in the ECC a year ago. She has been offered the chance to play the sport at the Div. I level for Stonehill College.
Hammer has committed to Worcester State University where she is hoping to continue her hockey career but nothing is concrete yet.
“I can’t imagine (her hockey career) being done after this,” the senior said.
The Centaurs played well against the Wildcats (11-5) who came in as the fifth-ranked team in the state in Div. I.
The two teams finished scoreless at the end of the first period with sophomore goalie Gen Nash making 12 saves.
“She had a great game; we just left her out to dry a couple of times,” Roy said of Nash. “She had a heckuva game and that should help her build toward the future.”
Unfortunately for the Centaurs, the Wildcats constant pressure became too much.
Grace Pocholski scored 4 minutes, 9 seconds into the second period to break the scoreless tie. Samantha Ruggieri added a second just 4:20 later and Suffield took a 3-0 lead into the locker room when Kaylyn Ambrosino tallied. Lila Prayzner finished off the scoring for the Wildcats with a third-period tally.
“The stated goal was the playoffs but every game we played was competitive.  This was probably our biggest loss of the season (the four-goal deficit equaled a 5-1 loss to Simsbury). It seemed like most losses were by two goals or less, so many were last second mistakes here and there. We’re on the cusp,” Roy said.
It’s also nice to have such a short Senior Day program — almost everyone is coming back.
“We lose a great shut down defender and our goal scorer, but this team builds up every year. Next year, we have nine seniors who have been here from the beginning and they will step up,” Roy said. “We have an open skate on March 1, almost like a tryout, so we know what we have coming up and we’ve had a lot of people reaching out so the numbers continue to grow.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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PSA Players
Left  Warren Keel. Above: The PSA Varsity girls' team. Photos by Rebecca Townes.

#1 PSA Mustangs have perfect week, 3-0
PUTNAM — #1 Putnam Science continues to roll after an 114-57 win at home Saturday afternoon over Shawinigan Prep (Canada). Adama Tambedou led the Mustangs with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks and Ben Ahmed had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in the win. Jamell Hatchett had 15 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals and Parrish Edmond had 14 points and 4 rebounds to help the Mustangs move to 28-2 on the season. Warren Keel added 10 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals and Jaeden Roberts chipped in 9 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for PSA in the win.
PUTNAM — Ben Ahmed had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks to help #1 ranked PSA roll past Lennoxville Prep 108-76. Adama Tambedou had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists and Jaeden Roberts had 13 points, 2 assists and 2 steals to help PSA move to 29-2 on the season. Jamell Hatchett added 12 points and 2 assists and Tony Williams chipped in 10 points, 7 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebounds.
PUTNAM — Abdou Yadd scored 15 points and added 2 assists and Ben Ahmed had 13 points and 6 rebounds to lead the #1 ranked team in the country to a 99-69 win over NBA Academy Tony Williams continues to play well, scoring 13 points, dishing out 4 assists and adding 5 steals for PSA who won their 30th game of the season and moved to 30-2 on the season. Parrish Edmond added 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Warren Keel chipped in 10 points and 5 assists for the Mustangs.
PSA Elite-Varsity Recap
PUTNAM —Elite Boys took on Cats Academy Monday afternoon at home but fell short in a high level game 98-92. Lazarus Mason led the Mustangs with 30 points and 3 assists and Dominick LaDuca had 18 points and 3 rebounds in the loss. Octavius Wheeler had 16 points and 4 assists and David Djan added 10 points and 8 rebounds as the Elite Boys fall to 22-6 on the season.
OAKDALE — The Elite Boys traveled to St. Thomas More Friday afternoon and lost 88-68 to fall to 22-7 on the season. Octavius Wheeler led PSA with 19 points and 3 assists and Max Shepel had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Dominick LaDuca added 8 points and 2 assists and Jacob Wang chipped in 7 points in the loss.
BRAINTREE, Mass. — The Varsity Boys traveled to Braintree to take on Cats Academy and lost 72-32 to fall to 12-9 on the season. Zuko Ntshikila led Putnam Science with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Craig Jonhera (3 rebounds), Drake Alveraz (2 assists) and Chris Maplanka (4 rebounds) all scored 5 points apiece in the loss.
PUTNAM — The Varsity Boys sweep the season series with St. Thomas More after beating them 75-62 at home Thursday afternoon. Junior KJ Stcyr led the Mustangs with 26 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. 8th graders TJ Espinosa had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and Drake Alvarez added 14 points in the win. Chris Maplanka added 7 points and 11 rebounds and Angel Seinfurier chipped in 6 points and 8 rebounds to help PSA move to 13-9 on the season. 
PSA girls have a tough week
BRONX, N.Y. — The Prep Girls traveled to New York Saturday to take on Monroe Community College but lost 82-55 to drop to 14-8 on season. Valentina Veran led the Lady Mustangs with 15 points, 4 steals and 3 rebounds and Janaya Prince had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.  Tatiana Bell added 11 points and 7 rebounds and Kate Lipatova chipped in with 11 rebounds and a block in the loss.
WOLFBORO, N.H. — The Varsity Lady Mustangs had a tough road game on Friday losing to Brewster Academy 32-21.  Lahelie Lockel led PSA with 7 points and Ayca Kazak added 6 points and 2 rebounds in the loss.  Defne Mumcu chipped in 4 rebounds and 2 assists as the Lady Mustang dropped to 10-6 on the season.
GRANBY, Mass. — The PSA Varsity Girls went on the road Monday evening to take on the MacDuffie School but lost 57-29 to fall to 10-7 on the season.  Lina Ostos led the Lady Mustangs with 8 points and 8 rebounds and Antonia De Giorgis added 6 points and 4 rebounds in the loss.  Altinai Toucheteau chipped in 5 points and 2 assists for PSA.

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Alice Davies Compagnone
ENGLEWOOD, Fla./PUTNAM — Alice Davies Compagnone of Englewood and Putnam died Jan. 28, 2025 at her home with her beloved daughter-in-law Laurie and dear niece, Anita Compagnone, at her bedside. She was 95.
Alice was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Compagnone.
Alice spent her childhood in Bangor and Easton, Penn., and enjoyed long summers with her grandparents in Greenville, Penn. She later attended Gettysburg College, where she met her husband, Joe. Allie and Joe were married in Greenville in 1953, at her grandparents’ home.
Alice and Joe had four children together, Elizabeth (Lisa), Myra, Mark, and Rosemary. As Allie raised her family, she also helped Joe build his business, Mace Adhesives and Coatings and provided valuable support as the corporate secretary, administrative assistant, and more.
Allie and Joe started Mellea Winery in Dudley shortly after Joe’s “retirement.” Allie enjoyed and excelled at organizing events at the winery, including showcasing local artists and musicians as well the famous Lucille Ball grape stomping contest.
Alice loved to travel from her youth and took full opportunity to do even more so after retirement. Some of her more adventurous destinations included Egypt, an African safari, and Jordan where she rode on horseback into the city of Petra. Allie also loved flying and was brave enough to take a ride on a WWII B-17 when she was in her 80s! Wales held a special place in Allie’s heart. She was able to travel there several times to explore the country of her heritage and even made lifelong friends there.
After Joe’s death in 2012, Alice became a true snowbird. She spent the cold months in Englewood to be close to her daughters, Myra and Lisa. The warm months were spent in Putnam living with her son Mark and his wife Laurie, and with her daughter Rosemary close by.
She leaves four children, Elizabeth Compagnone, Myra Plescia, Mark Compagnone, and Rosemary Bellerive, her daughter-in-law Laurie Compagnone, and two sons-in-law Christopher Plescia and Edward Bellerive; seven grandchildren: Trisha Moran, Christopher J. Plescia, Alec Plescia Justine Cavender, Joseph D. Compagnone, Jonathan Compagnone, Lily Elwood; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the East Woodstock Congregational Church in East Woodstock at a later date. Donations: American Lab Rescue at www.americanlabrescue.com; Hospice and Palliative Care at Day Kimbal Health, www.daykimball.org.

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