After defeating Robinson and Yorktown this season, the Oakton Cougars feel good about themselves, as this is probably one of their best starts in program history. However, they’re coming off playing in a tournament over Labor Day weekend, and head coach Erin Keenan said it was a lot on the athletes’ bodies since they played at least one game for six consecutive days. 

Despite that, the Cougars capped off that tournament, blowing out South County, 7-0, on Aug. 30. Keenan not only wants to ensure this momentum continues, but they’re focused on the fundamentals. 

“I think this year we had scrimmages later in our preseason, so we’re able to take a lot of time to get to know each other and do a lot of team bonding and getting them to gel off the field,” she said. “First, I think it was a great change because usually we used to scrimmage pretty quickly, so it was nice to have time together as a team practicing and doing the little activities we do.” 

Keenan mentioned the matchups were an excellent test for the Cougars to play against other teams that they don’t usually face.

Even though it’s still early, one thing that Keenan has seen from her roster is them being able to maintain their composure. She said this is important, so they’re able to lift each other in certain moments. 

“So maybe if things were going our way, or that goes into the tournament too, that there’s a couple of games where it’s hot and we’re tired, so probably our play isn’t at the level we want it to be, but seeing them encourage each other and flip that switch when we work with each other,” she said. “I think that’s something we’re excited to build on, but we’re excited that’s a point of where we’re at.” 

Last year, the Cougars captured districts and regionals for a second consecutive season, ever since capturing their first two in more than a decade. Keenan wants to run it back, but she knows nothing will be handed to them, and they will need to work to get there. 

“We just take it day-by-day and we’re doing the little things that we know that get us back to that point,” she said. “Obviously, we have high goals for ourselves this year, but it starts with whatever the next game or practice begins. I know that sounds cliché, but we treat everything like it’s our last.” 

The Cougars were in a familiar spot in the 2024 campaign, but things fell apart against Yorktown in the state tournament, losing to them 2-1. However, Keenan isn’t dwelling on it, as that’s all in the past, and is grateful that both teams put their best efforts forward. 

“I think that from last year, it was a hard-fought game and they earned it,” she said. “I believe we’re ready to bounce back for maybe the little things we can fix on the field or off it. Obviously, we don’t ignore what happened last year, but it’s an opportunity to build on it and see what we can accomplish this season.” 

Oakton has plenty of talent returning from last year, but they lost a lot at the same time. Keenan said several athletes have been working hard in the offseason, and she’s seen that some have been making strides to take over some of the scoring holes they missed. 

“Even incorporating a deeper line of forwards would be great as we continue,” she said. “But the work the girls put in the offseason is evident when we see them competing with each other every day.” 

Some of the talent includes Captain Marisa Rubano, Daniella Rubano, Giselle Liu, Elizabeth Segar and Lindsey Calder. Keenan feels like these five athletes are positioned to set the Cougars up for success this entire 2025 campaign. 

“This team is very different from other teams that I coached in the past, and it’s really exciting because it’s a little bit of a different style,” she said. “The biggest thing is the leadership, like even during the tournament, we had a little lull and the girls talked amongst themselves at halftime and within 30 seconds of the second half, we scored a goal.”