Field Hockey Season Comes to an End

Winchester's field hockey team kept Friday's MIAA North Section quarterfinal close through the first half, but fell 4-0 to the defending Division 2 state champs, and undefeated Watertown (19-0).

After failing to qualify for the postseason a year ago and getting knocked out in the first round two years ago, the Sachems (12-5-3) on Wednesday afternoon, 2-1, for their first playoff victory in two years.

Coach Michelle White said she was pleased with the effort the ninth-seeded Sachems gave out of the gate.

"I thought the first half we gave them a game," White said. "The second half we had a couple unlucky bounces and gave up a few goals."

Watertown's first goal took an unlucky bounce for the Sachems.

Watertown senior Kaitlyn Carlson scored with 8:39 left in the first on a long, lofted shot that arched through the air and snuck just under the crossbar.

White said the shot hopped off the stick of one of the Winchester defenders.

"It was a beautiful goal, unfortunately it was against us," White said.

In the second half, the top-seeded Raiders increased the offensive pressure, and less than five minutes into the second half Watertown senior Erika Kelly got the ball well outside the circle, drove toward the net and put it in the back of the Winchester goal.

Senior Bianca Jones made it 3-0 with a goal with 15 minutes left, and Kelly struck for her second just 2:06 later.

White said her team was excited to play the defending champs, and it showed in the first half. She was disappointed to be playing a fellow Middlesex League team early in the tournament.

"I am never happy to see a Middlesex League team so early," White said. "It's such a tough league and unfortunately one of the teams has to lose."

White hopes her team will continue its success next year.

"We lose seven seniors, but we have the personnel to replace them," White said.