Impressive Season for Watertown Field Hockey Concludes with State Final

Watertown's run to a fifth straight Div. 2 field hockey state final is impressive enough, but it is how the team has done it that stands out.

The team has a perfect 22-0 record, while maintaining the program's state record unbeaten streak (114 after the state semifinal win). They have done this with a roster with only one senior on it, and the starting lineup includes only juniors, sophomore and freshmen players.

During the regular season, only two goals were scored on Watertown - one by Melrose in an 8-1 win and one by Reading in a 5-1 win. During the tournament, Watertown has allowed three goals - including two in one game to Manchester-Essex in the section final. 

The offense has not been lacking either. No team has kept Watertown to one goal (or shut them out of course), and only three times have the Raiders been limited to two goals. The Raiders have outscored their opponents 111-5 (including 21-3 in the tourney). 

"(It's) team defense. From the forwards all the way back," said Watertown field hockey coach Eileen Donahue. "For us to work it's everyone on the attack and everyone on D, otherwise it just won’t work for us."

A variety of players have scored goals, including one of the most dangerous weapons in the Watertown arsenal - junior Emily Loprete who comes from her back position to score. Donahue said she gives Loprete the freedom to attack.

"She’s a back so she picks her spots. She’s a good read on what the situation is," Donahue said. "... You don’t want to put one of your players up always up if you are going to let one of their better players come down the other end."

Watertown will take on another undefeated team in the state final on Saturday. Auburn comes into the game with a 23-0 record, and defeated Smith Academy 4-0 in the state semifinal.

The game will be played at noon at Worcester Polytechnical Institute (WPI). Follow the game live on Patch (click here for the story) and on the Watertown Patch Twitter feed, @watertownpatch. You can join the conversation by using the #WHSFieldHockey hashtag.