Mitchell thriving in America's Brightest Orange

By Jonathan Jackson, OSU Communications

How much can a popular video game contribute to the success of Oklahoma State soccer?

Plenty if you ask Keaton Mitchell.

A senior midfielder for the Cowgirls, Mitchell and a large group of her teammates spend much of their free time playing Fortnite together, something that helps build trust and camaraderie.

"We are big fans of Pleasant Park, and if we are having a good day, we will go to Tilted Towers," Mitchell said of the group's Fortnite adventures. "There is a big group of us that play.

"As weird as it sounds, the better you trust your teammates off the field, the more you can trust them on the field. Us competing in a video game helps us build the communication on the field easier."

A transfer in her first year in Stillwater after playing three seasons at Tennessee, Mitchell has established herself as a presence in the Cowgirl locker room, a veteran who brings experience, composure and laughter – along with her Fortnite skills – as well as adding a competitive edge on the field.

With 17 newcomers on its roster, OSU's ability to build team chemistry on and off the field can be a challenge. It isn't difficult because the players don't get along, but difficult because trust, communication and shared identity take time to develop.

But Mitchell and others have taken the challenge head on.

It's a new journey for Mitchell, who made the difficult decision to leave home after graduating from UT with a degree in marketing last spring.

A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Mitchell grew up always knowing she would be a Volunteer, but she never would have expected to wear America's Brightest Orange.

However, after entering the transfer portal, Mitchell saw an OSU program that, despite the results of a tough 2025 season, made her want to invest and go all in on what Cowgirl Soccer could become under head coach Colin Carmichael and his staff.

For Mitchell, it was more than just looking at last season's record, it was more about the culture, the history and seeing an environment where she could grow as a player and person.

"I have so much belief in the vision of the coaches and the girls," Mitchell said. "Growing up a Tennessee fan, it was hard leaving. I'll always be a Vol, but I kind of like this shade of orange better."
That belief in Cowgirl Soccer is what makes Mitchell such an important addition to the team, according to Carmichael, who sees Mitchell as more than just another transfer but as an important investment to the team and culture moving forward.

"(Mitchell) and her father came on the visit, and you can just tell they are the type of people who would really thrive here," Carmichael said.

Mitchell's willingness to buy into the Cowgirl culture gives coach Carmichael another great asset in the locker room.

"As far as within the group, she speaks up in the team meetings and has a good voice and is very positive of her teammates," Carmichael said.

On the field Mitchell brought a spark of energy to a Cowgirl roster that was in need of a midfielder. And her presence extends beyond what she brings to the culture.

Mitchell arrived in Stillwater after playing 49 games for Tennessee, where she recorded two goals and an assist in her three seasons.

She's already surpassed those totals in Stillwater.

In fact, Mitchell matched her career goal total in just one game, her second in an OSU uniform. Against Stephen F. Austin, Mitchell came off the bench and led the Cowgirls to their first victory of the season with a brace as she recorded goals in each half.

Seeing the ball go in the goal is always a good feeling as a player but twice is always nice. The moment for Mitchell was more than just two goals on the scoresheet, it was confirmation that she is capable of being a scoring threat.

"It's always good to see the ball hit the back of the net," Mitchell said. "I've always known I could shoot the ball so it was really exciting seeing it go in."

That production has continued. Through OSU's first seven games, Mitchell is tied with forward Sonora DeFini as the team's leading scorer, having produced three goals and an assist.

"On the field, (Mitchell is a) really good player and smooth on the ball," Carmichael said. "Clearly a threat on the goal, which none of us knew."

Mitchell's scoring production has been a breakthrough, and more importantly, it will help serve as a building block for what she believes she can contribute as the Cowgirls move into Big 12 Conference play.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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