Video: Raiders Girls' Hockey Team Wins First Ever Tourney Game

With an early one-goal lead against a No. 23 seed Framingham team missing its top goalie, it appeared to be easy sailing ahead for the Melrose/Watertown girls’ hockey team.

The tenth-seeded Raiders, however, had to survive two and a half periods of pressure to hang on to the 1-0 victory in the preliminary round game of the MIAA Div. 1 State Tournament at Watertown’s John Ryan Arena on Wednesday night.

Just 5:16 into the game, Watertown junior Lauren Giordano took a pass from Justine Johnson skated past some Flyer defenders and shot a back-hander into the corner to beat Framingham’s freshman goalie Ashley Castriotta.

“I got it and just went around with my backhand,” Giordano said. “When I go backhand, I usually go upper right corner in the air. It was a good feeling.”

The goal would be the only puck that Castriotta would let past her. Castriotta made 24 saves, replacing the injured Casey Curran, said Framingham head coach John Gallagher.

“That was our backup. That was her second varsity game, I think she had an excellent game,” Gallagher said. “These girls responded. They did a lot of things right, but it just didn’t show on the (score)board.”

Both teams had their chances, with Melrose/Watertown recording 25 shots and Framingham 17. Russo said he was happy with how the Raiders dealt with the Framingham attack.

“I thought our defense did a great job keeping those big girls to the outside, and eliminate their opportunities,” Russo said. “They had a couple quality opportunities in close, but most their shots were from the perimeter.”

In the third period, the Flyers had a flurry of opportunities, trying to tie the score. Melrose/Watertown goalie Simone Bailey had to make some point blank saves to preserve the shutout and the win.

“I think we controlled most of the game, territorially-wise, but they did a great job hanging in there, hanging in there," Russo said. “There is noting scarier than someone hanging in there.

“They were a very well coached team. That was their backup goalie—she was tremendous.”

Framingham’s gameplan went well, but the Flyers could not quite get it done, Gallagher said.

“Watertown is a talented club, especially Giordano and Erika Kelly,” Gallagher said. “We thought if we could keep Watertown to one goal, we really would have a good chance at the victory. But the Watertown’s goalie played excellent.”

With the win, Melrose/Watertown set up an encounter with a familiar foe—fellow Middlesex League squad and No. 7 seed Lexington. The teams will face off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hadley Rink in Lexington.

Framingham finishes the season 9-10-2, and the Raiders improved to 15-3-5.