They have strung together year after year of successful seasons, won a handful of Concorde District titles and even a Group AAA state crown.
But since 1998 a Northern Region championship has eluded Oakton’s girls lacrosse team. Monday night in a region semifinal vs. W.T. Woodson, the Cougars earned another shot.
Oakton advanced to Wednesday’s region final with a convincing 12-8 victory over the Cavaliers. Junior midfielder Ashley Kimener and senior midfielder Katie Berkel each scored three goals for the fourth-ranked Cougars, who tallied 10 of the game’s final 14 goals.
“We’ve talked all season about building a bridge from those past teams to this team,” said Berkel, one of four Oakton players selected first-team all-region. “It’s been a while since we’ve won it. But that was one of our biggest goals this year.”
Oakton (14-1) lost in last year’s final to Robinson, 9-8. It was the third straight year the Cougars fell in the championship game. W.T. Woodson (11-6), which received two goals each from senior midfielder Mia Naccarato and junior midfielders Sarah Vinall and Margaret Thaxton, remains in contention for a Group AAA state tournament berth. The Cavaliers qualify if they win Wednesday’s consolation game at home against Chantilly.
Woodson bottled up Oakton’s potent attack early in the game, holding leading scorer Victoria Cable (67 goals) to just one goal. The Cavaliers led 4-2 with 11 minutes, 20 seconds left in the first half and appeared in good shape.
“But we always know that even if one person is having a bad half or isn’t scoring, someone will step up and make some big plays for us,” said Kimener. “That makes it a lot easier to just relax and go play.”
Goals from Berkel and senior midfielder Hillary Freund tied the game at four. Senior Katie Stokely and Berkel added two more in the final five minutes of the first half to put Oakton ahead for good. The Cougars then took control with the first three goals of the second half with their biggest lead at 11-6 with just 5:13 left in the game.
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
» In Wednesday’s Northern Region final, Oakton will host Concorde District rival Robinson, a 9-6 winner over Chantilly, in Monday night’s second semifinal.
» Oakton junior midfielder Ashley Kimener has been named the Northern Region player of the year.
» The Cougars have had at least four different players score in every game except one this season — the 16-0 loss to No. 1 St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes.
