Watertown field hockey family comes out to cheer on two of its own
Some two dozen former players and coaches support sisters Kourtney and Jonna Kennedy as UConn and BC play in doubleheader
October 18, 2018
This past Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2018, the University of Connecticut field hockey team took on No. 1-ranked North Carolina at Boston College. Following that was another game between the BC Eagles and the University of Massachusetts.
One of UConn’s starting players was sophomore Kourtney Kennedy, a 2017 Watertown High School graduate, at center back. The starting goalie for BC was Jonna Kennedy, also a former Watertown player, and younger sister of Kourtney. Their former teammates, coach Eileen Donahue, and past Watertown field hockey players came out to support the girls. Some two dozen friends and family — including youngest sister Ally Kennedy, a WHS junior — were on hand.
Members of the 2018 Watertown High School field hockey team, including coach Eileen Donahue (right), pose with former teammate Kourtney Kennedy (12). The UConn sophomore was playing in a college doubleheader at Boston College on Oct. 14, 2018.
The first game was a tough battle between two strong teams. UNC scored their first goal with 16:30 remaining in the first half, and the score remained 1-0 at the half.
With 26:31 left of the second half, Kourtney Kennedy scored her first college goal off of a penalty corner, making the score 1-1. About four minutes after, UNC scored another, taking the lead again.
In an attempt to tie the score and go into overtime, the Huskies pulled their goalie in order to add another field player. Kourtney then changed her position from center back to kicking back, replacing the goalie in the circle. As kicking back, Kourtney had the privilege of saving any shots on net with her stick and any part of her body, though she didn’t need to here. At the same time, she had all the privileges of a field player outside of the circle.
Members of the 2018 Watertown High School field hockey team, including coach Eileen Donahue (left), pose with former teammate Jonna Kennedy (fifth from left). The Boston College freshman was playing in a college doubleheader in Newton on Oct. 14, 2018.
The Tar Heels held their own for the remainder of the game and the final score was 2-1. After the game, Watertown’s fan section met Kennedy on the field for a photo.
After an exciting UConn game, BC was ready to take the field against UMass. Kourtney Kennedy joined the Watertown field hockey fan section and everyone was ready to support her freshman sister, Jonna.
The Eagles scored within the first 20 seconds of the game, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Jonna saved a penalty stroke with 20:29 left in the first half. BC scored again with two minutes left and kept the score 2-0 at the half.
Boston College freshman goalie Jonna Kennedy saves a penalty stroke during the Eagles’ 6-1 win over visiting UMass on Oct. 14, 2018.
The Eagles scored two more and the score remained, 4-0, until UMass scored on a penalty stroke with 6:25 left in the second half. Before the buzzer sounded, BC scored two more, making the final score 6-1.
Jonna played a great game in net with a total of save saves. Jonna used her voice to be apart of every play, exactly how her former Watertown High teammates remembered. Everyone met after the second game for another picture.
It was both beneficial and extremely fun for everyone to watch these high-skill level games. The Watertown field hockey program wishes both Kourtney and Jonna the best of luck with their careers.
As the WHS field hockey team says, “There is a job to be done.” Kourtney and Jonna are doing just that!
The Kennedy sisters — (from left) Jonna (Boston College), Kourtney (UConn), and Ally (Watertown High) — pose for a picture during a field hockey doubleheader at Boston College on Oct. 14, 2018.
Former Watertown High field hockey players players — Kelly and Lauren Khozozian, their mother Carol, Lauren’s children, and Ann Guden, a mother of former player, Cathy Guden — pose in the stands at Boston College where they came to watch former Raiders play in a college doubleheader Oct. 14, 2018.
Members of the 2018 Watertown High School field hockey team pose in the stands at Boston College where they came to watch former teammates play in a college doubleheader featuring Boston College vs. UMass and UConn vs. North Carolina on Oct. 14, 2018.
UConn sophomore Kourtney Kennedy (12) runs the field during the Huskies’ field hockey game with North Carolina at Boston College on Oct. 14, 2018. Kennedy would score her first collegiate goal in the game.
Boston College freshman goalie Jonna Kennedy (29) is announced with the starting lineups before the Eagles played visiting UMass on Oct. 14, 2018.
–Oct. 18, 2018–
