Sean Browne
Sophomore Kourtney Kennedy and the Raiders play Auburn for the third straight year in the field hockey state final on Saturday.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., Watertown High School seeks to complete an seven-peat – seven straight state titles when they play Auburn in a battle of undefeated teams in the State Final.
The late November date with Auburn at WPI is becoming a tradition. This is the third straight year the teams will play in the MIAA Div. 2 Field Hockey State Final.
Watertown, of course, won the last two meetings. In 2013, the Raiders had a tough matchup with the Rockets, and did not score the game’s lone goal until 12 minutes left in the game. Last year, however, Watertown dominated Auburn, scoring early and often in a 5-0 victory.
The Raiders come into the final undefeated again, 21-0, and in the midst of a history-making season in which they set the new national record longest undefeated streak of 154 and counting (it is now up to 159). While Watertown shut out all opponents last year, the team let in one goal this year in a 7-1 win over Lincoln-Sudbury.
After a pair of 2-0 victories in the first two rounds of the state tourney, Watertown has started to catch fire. The Raiders beat Manchester-Essex 4-0 in the North Section Final and went one better in the state semifinal beating South Champ Hanover 5-0.
The defense has been a strength for the Raiders, and when needed, goalie Jonna Kennedy has been up to the task. Scoring has come from a variety of players. In any game, scoring could come from senior co-captains Ally McCall and Michaela Antonellis or junior Kourtney Kennedy. Seniors Christa Knell, Mikayla Paone, junior Olivia Venezia and freshman Gabby Venezia have also found the back of the net in the tournament.
Central Section Champ Auburn also comes into the final undefeated at 23-0. The tournament has been filled with overtime affairs for the Rockets. They beat Frontier 1-0 in overtime in the state semifinal, and rolled over Lunenberg 5-1 for the Central Section title. Before that, the Rockets had two more overtime games – beating Quaboag 2-1 in the section semi and won 1-0 against Hopedale in the section quarter. Auburn beat Northbridge 4-0 in the first round.
Junior Kileigh Hynes has scored in Auburn’s last three games, and senior Jacqueline Clark has two goals. Each scored overtime winners for the Rockets.
Follow the action from Worcester live, starting Saturday at 11 a.m.:
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown and Auburn line up before the State Final.
10:45 am – Welcome to a sunny WPI field. The teams are warming up Watertown is in red and Auburn is wearing white uniforms.
11:04 am – The 1990 Watertown team being honored on the silver anniversary of their title. The seniors graduated without losing.
27 mins left – Watertown shot off a corner goes just left.
25 mins left first – Auburn can’t score off 2 corners.
23 mins left – 2 Watertown shots blocked by goalie.
16 mins left – Watertown giving pressure with 3 corners. No score.
11 mins left first – Goal Watertown off a scrum in front of the net. Not clear who scored.
9 mins left – Second goal. Looks like it was Michaela Antonellis. First goal was by Mikayla Paone. Now 2-0. Timeout Auburn.
Second goal goes to Olivia Venezia.
2 mins left first – Watertown scores again. This time it is Antonellis. 3-0 Watertown.
Halftime. Watertown up 3-0. Raiders look well in control.
27 mins left second – Watertown continues to press.
21 mins left – Auburn getting the ball upfield but no shots. Still 3-0 Watertown.
19 mins left – Kourtney Kennedy sent off for a couple minutes after a physical foul.
17 mins left second – Paone shoots just wide on a fast break.
15 mins left – Maddie Leitner scores to make it 4-0 Raiders.
6 mins left – Leitner scores again, tipping in a shot by Antonellis. 5-0 Watertown.
3 mins left – Penalty stroke scored by Kennedy. 6-0 Raiders.
Game over. Watertown wins 6-0. Seven straight state titles!