Reflecting on the season in admiration, weeks earlier than the playoffs start, isn’t one thing the storied Watertown area hockey program usually does.
At apply on Monday, although, earlier than a pair of wins later within the week pinned the Raiders at 16-0, head coach Eileen Donahue gathered her group to speak concerning the delight in what they’ve completed. An ideal report and a 100-1 aim differential is sort of substantial, particularly when doing so towards a bevy of proficient packages with reliable state title aspirations.
Donahue emphasised to her gamers to understand that. But much more so the exhausting work and sacrifices every participant has dedicated to succeed in these heights to this point.
That’s what separates this system from others.
“Our record is our record, but the amount of work that’s been put into this, it’s been a lot,” Donahue stated. “I want our team – they should be proud of our record. Extremely proud, never to forget that. It can be a long process. … But they all know it isn’t, ‘Oh you’re (16-0).’ They know it’s taken a lot out of everyone and we’ve gone up against some very strong teams.”
It’s change into such a damaged report to speak about how profitable the Watertown area hockey group is that the current is simply too simply drowned out by looping it with the legacy of the previous. But in their very own proper, this group is each bit as particular.
Donahue isn’t one to depend out the numbers – the clichés in her repertoire ring almost as loud as her program’s eternal victory bell. But with 47 straight wins, the Raiders have a reliable likelihood at cracking 50 straight as soon as once more. Their 15 shutouts are essentially the most within the state coming into the weekend and beating perennial contender Andover is one thing no different Watertown group has executed.
Third-year captains Maggie Driscoll and Lizzie Loftus have starred via all of it as two-time All-Scholastics, whereas junior Molly Driscoll has served as an elite scorer in every of the final two seasons. Many contributors have filtered via alongside them, however the ones enjoying crucial roles this yr assist put the Raiders in nice place to defend their Div. 3 state championship.
Again, there’s quite a bit to take delight in.
“It definitely means a lot (to win so many straight),” Maggie Driscoll added. “All the records in the past, we’ve all looked up to those teams. But that’s really inspirational, especially to look back and see what we’re capable of and how far we’ve come.”
As all the time, there’s nonetheless a ton of labor to be executed. One of the principle messages Donahue sends to her group is to have the appropriate respect for each opponent. Nothing is a cakewalk.
That “doing things right” mentality is what led to lengthy discussions postgame after the numerous 6-0 and 7-0 wins the group’s racked up on this streak. There are all the time notes, there are all the time extra tinkers that may be executed – particularly with Foxboro, Sandwich and Dover-Sherborn banging on the door as critical contenders in Div. 3.
“We’ve got to be on guard,” Donahue stated. “So we’ve to learn at all times.”
That attempt for excellence is what makes the Raiders’ lore so iconic. It’s additionally what might make it appear a bit scary.
Maggie Driscoll had the luxurious of listening to concerning the problem from her mom and cousins, who additionally performed for Donahue, to melt the intimidation. But as longtime witnesses to the fixed pursuit of greatness, each Maggie Driscoll and Loftus have grown into it and champion the worthwhile course of.
“There’s definitely fear, but it’s all about how you respond to that,” Loftus stated. “It’s never been to the point where you back down, it’s always just intensity. … Being in the position to compete the way that we’re doing is what keeps us competing at every practice.”
“My mom even would try to remind me that you just got to keep going through it because some days are harder than others but … the end result is always so great. Being here now is a really good feeling,” Driscoll added. “It is intimidating when those expectations are so high, but what you get out of this program is what you put into it.”
Newer to the combo is senior goalie Brianna Cooper, who Donahue raves about due to how seamlessly she’s adopted the work ethic and mentality essential to be a dependable spine in aim.
As one of many key position gamers on this group, Cooper has loved the journey and remodeling her recreation. Just like her fellow seniors, she understands the method – and is aware of the way it’s going to assist the group in the long term.
“It’s always been heard that, ‘Wow, the field hockey program must be so hard,’ ” Copper stated. “You can always give more than you think. Being in this program over the years that I have been, I know what I’m capable of. … Putting in the time, really being there (is the expectation to get to the next level).”
Defending champ verify
Since beating Andover 2-1, Watertown hasn’t allowed a aim. The identical may be stated for the Golden Warriors amid a 15-game win streak of their very own.
Much of the speak in preseason predicted Andover as the favourite to win the Div. 1 title for a second straight yr, and there isn’t a lot to counsel the Golden Warriors can’t do it.
Andover options a number of the premier star energy within the state, however truly has gone a big handful of video games lacking a few of its high expertise. Depth has proven off in a slew of high-quality wins. If everyone seems to be wholesome come match time, that would show lethal.
The path again to the title recreation hasn’t been so glamorous for Westwood within the Div. 2 area, and it has its work reduce out for it with Longmeadow, Masconomet, Nashoba, Reading, Falmouth and Danvers all enjoying at a dangerously excessive degree. But whereas a 4-0 loss to Wachusett on Friday places the Wolverines at 10-4-2, the “hungry” group has a extra skilled strategy to every recreation after successful final yr. Its aggressive chunk simply may need the (as soon as once more) underdogs primed for one more deep run.
Division 4 may simply have essentially the most parity of all, however top-rated Uxbridge appears to face above all of it in a robust common season displaying this yr. All the Central Mass. energy has executed up to now is dominate the groups round it. A wide range of potent weapons has Uxbridge averaging over seven targets per recreation, and its 27-game win streak is the second longest within the state. Wins over Monomoy (6-1), King Philip (3-1), Doherty (3-2) and Sutton (5-0) have the group buzzing because the title favourite.
Source: www.bostonherald.com