Canton Field Hockey Team Falls 1-0 in State Semifinal

Canton's created offensive pressure and shots on goal, but the Bulldogs could not score against defending state champions, Watertown, losing the MIAA Div. 2 state semifinal 1-0, Tuesday night.

The teams raced up and down the field at North Andover High School, but despite both teams having scoring opportunities the first half ended scoreless.

Just 1:14 into the second half, however, Watertown found the back of the goal. Junior Lauren Giordano knocked in a pass from junior Erika Kelly to make the score 1-0.

Watertown almost made it 2-0 with 15:01 in the second half. The Raiders got a penalty stroke after a flurry in front of the Canton goal. Kelly took the shot, which was deflected by Canton goalie Sarah Healey, and appeared to roll over the goal line. The referee, however, ruled the shot was saved.

The Bulldogs pressured Watertown after going down a goal, and had a number of corners, but Watertown goalie Kayla Costa and the Raiders defense kept them out.

Canton coach Fior Griffin said she was disappointed that the game had not gone the other way.

"We outplayed them, we had more corners and more shots," Griggin said. "But they ended up with a goal and we didn't."

Griggin said she thought her team could beat the Raiders.

"They weren't Watertown of last year," Griggin said.

The loss was the first of the year for Canton, which ends the season with a record of 20-1-1.

Watertown coach Eileen Donahue said she was happy with the win.

"(Canton) has a very strong program," Donahue said. "We found a way to come through. We were very tough and I thought we had very good defensive structure."

Watertown improved to 22-0 and moves on to the state final Saturday at Worcester State.