It was deja vu all over again in the championship match of this season’s girls 6D North Region field hockey tournament, with one difference.
The Oakton Cougars won the title for the second straight year over the Yorktown Patriots, 1-0, but on the road instead of on their home turf. Oakton also won by a one-goal margin, 2-1, over the Patriots in 2023.
Oakton improved to 20-2 this fall. The team has won 12 straight matches entering the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tournament.
“Yorktown is really fast and hits the ball hard and scores a lot of goals,” Oakton coach Erin Keenan said. “Anytime we play them its a tough competitive game. I anticipated a high-scoring game, so I really credit our defense because they came through.”
Marisa Rubano scored the only goal of the final, unassisted on a hard backhanded shot to the left of Yorktown goalie Sarah Kinzer.
“Marisa always comes through with big goals,” Keenan said.
Maura Farrell earned the shutout in goal. The shutout was Oakton’s third in five playoff matches. Oakton won the Concorde District tournament prior to the region competition.
The Cougars were 3-0 in the region tournament. They topped the Marshall Statesmen, 5-2, in the first round and blanked the Washington-Liberty Generals, 6-0, in the semifinals.
For Oakton in the semis, Avery Dekoven scored two goals and had an assist; Gigi Liu, Daniella Rubano and Taryn Knepper each had a goal and an assist; Riley Sweeney scored a goal; and Marisa Rubano had an assist. Taylor Zimmerman got the win in goal. Oakton led 4-0 at halftime.
Against Marshall, Dekoven scored three goals and Lindsey Calder and Liu one each. Marisa Rubano and Daniella Rubano each had two assists. Farrell and Jane Begley shared the win in goal.
For Marshall, Paige Pehrkon and Katie Kuczkowski had goals.
Oakton lost in the state semifinals last season after a first-round victory.
“We have done some different things this season that have worked out well and the players have worked hard,” Keenan said. “Anything can happen at states.”
NOTE: Dekoven, Daniella Rubano and Marisa Rubano were chosen first-team all-region. Calder and Elizabeth Segar from Oakton made second team.
