NORTH ANDOVER — The Watertown High School field hockey team had precious few chances in the North Section final on Saturday, but the Raiders converted a second half corner for the game winner against Manchester-Essex. The victory gives Watertown (20-0-1) 11 straight Section crowns, and the team is seeking its 10th straight State Championship. The Raiders’ title hopes, however, looked shaky for much of the battle of undefeated teams.
The Hornets (16-1-5) controlled the play in the first half and the beginning of the second. Manchester-Essex had five corners in the first half, while the Raiders had none. The Hornets hit the post on one shot, but sophomore goalie Elaine Andrade and the Watertown defense kept the ball out of the net. In the second half the Raiders survived more offensive waves from Manchester-Essex, which got two more corners and twice played with an extra player after a Raiders’ player was carded.