Last season had been the most successful in program history for the Oakton Cougars as the girls field-hockey team won district and region titles and reached the state-tournament semifinals.
This fall was even better. Oakton (22-3) won the same two championships, then advanced to the Virginia High School League Class 6 state tournament-title match.
But winning the state crown was not to be. The Cougars fell 2-1 Saturday (Nov. 16) in Virginia Beach against the defending champion Yorktown Patriots (18-4) at Ocean Lakes High School.
Oakton had defeated Yorktown just days earlier in the 6D North Region tourney final, and were playing in the state final for the first time. The loss ended Oakton’s 14-match winning streak, including four straight shutouts.
“To get to the state championship and not win it was hard for the players, because that was their goal this season,” Oakton coach Erin Keenan said. “After we talked about things, I think they appreciated what they accomplished. Our senior class of players was special.”
Keenan said she expected a back-and-forth match in the state final. That’s what happened, as Oakton took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter. Yorktown scored the final two goals, with the game-winner coming with 5:32 to play.
“Anytime we face Yorktown we know it’s going to be a tight game,” Keenan said.
In the state final, Oakton took a 1-0 lead late in the first quarter off a penalty corner when Lindsey Calder scored on a shot that hit off Yorktown goalie Sarah Kinzer. After Yorktown took the 2-1 lead, the Patriots’ defense withstood a flurry of Oakton shots on goal in the final two minutes.
“Now our players see what it takes to get to a state final, so they will want it again,” Keenan said. “We return a lot of starters next season. We will be back.”
Oakton was 2-1 in the state tournament, with blowout wins in first round and semifinal contests.
In the first round at Oakton, the Cougars blanked the North Stafford Wolverines, 7-0, then shut out the Glen Allen Jaguars, 5-0, at Ocean Lakes in the semifinals.
Against North Stafford (19-5), Avery DeKoven scored three goals, Riley Sweeney two and Gigi Liu and Marisa Rubano one each. Assists went to Rubano, Liu, Sweeney, Calder and Daniella Rubano. Maura Farrell was in goal and made one save. Farrell was a rookie goalie this season.
Against Glen Allen (16-4), Sweeney had two goals, DeKoven had a goal and two assists and Marisa Rubano and Kayline White had a goal each. Calder and Gigi Liu had assists. Farrell got the win in net.
Oakton won 44 games the last two seasons, finishing 22-1 last fall.
