Another double-OT win for WHS boys’ soccer!

Raiders advance in MIAA Division 3 North tournament to play Lynnfield on Monday, Nov. 11, at noon at St. John’s Prep in Danvers

Raider Times photo / Leah Knipper-Davis
The Watertown High School boys’ soccer team celebrates after defeating Dracut, 2-1, in double overtime in a MIAA Division 3 North quarterfinal game at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

Chris Gagnon, Raider Times staff

The Watertown High boys’ soccer team advanced to yet another round in the MIAA Division 3 North tournament when Rodrigo Freitas ended a tense game in the second overtime for a 2-1 win against Dracut at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

The third-seeded Raiders (14-4-2) advanced to the Division 3 North semifinals, where they will play No. 10 Lynnfield (11-8-1) at noon on Monday, Nov. 11, at St. John’s Prep in Danvers.

The Watertown High School boys’ soccer team celebrates after defeating Dracut, 2-1, in double overtime in a MIAA Division 3 North quarterfinal game at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

“Great overall effort,” stated Watertown coach Frank Cacia. “Not the way you plan two overtime victories in a row, but it builds character, so we drew from our experiences and felt pretty good when it went into overtime, based on what happened Monday [in the Raiders’ win over Weston].

“But it was a great overall team effort. Gevork [Karapetyan] sacrificed his normal position, which is central midfield, to play for the back for us to mark their No. 7. Hats off to these guys, they are a very good team, so onto the next round.”

A sideline scene from the Watertown High School boys’ soccer team’s MIAA Division 3 North quarterfinal game with Dracut at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

Fans on both sides of the Victory Field bleachers — Watertown on the left and Dracut on the right — were viciously cheering their teams on, riding a rollercoaster of emotions.

The Raiders defended hard and pushed harder, scoring a goal by Caiden Kiani in the second half. But they let their guard down, allowing a Dracut player to score and tie the game. 

“It hurt but I put everything I had into [the] game,” said Caiden. “The team played with heart. It was our determination that won us the game. I was confident in our defenses and our goalkeeper and, for that reason, I was not worried about the last five minutes.”

The Watertown High School boys’ soccer team prepares to play Dracut in a MIAA Division 3 North tournament game at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. The host Raiders advanced with a 2-1 win in double overtime.
A sideline scene from the Watertown High School boys’ soccer team’s MIAA Division 3 North quarterfinal game with Dracut at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.
The Watertown High School boys’ soccer team takes on Dracut in a MIAA Division 3 North tournament game at Victory Field on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. The host Raiders advanced with a 2-1 win in double overtime.

–Nov. 7, 2019–