You are probably getting used to it: we like to put our student-athletes, American universities or colleagues in the spotlight. This week we put a group of student-athletes that we are proud of in the spotlight, because 8 of our field hockey ladies have achieved great successes in the USA recently!
Curious about which 8 hockey players we are talking about? You can read that below!
8. Bloem van den Brekel
Bloem van den Brekel from Eindhoven received the ‘America East All-Conference Award’. A special achievement that Bloem, her team and the university can be proud of! Bloem has had a successful season: she started in all 11 matches in which she participated and was on the field for 627 minutes of the total 664 minutes! That is 94.4%!
In addition, she scored two goals as a midfielder and made two assists. Go Bloem!
7. Berber Bakermans
Berber and Julia, the duo that left for Delaware together and the duo that is now together in this article. Together, they became part of the ‘All-CAA Rookie Team’. Berber started all of her seven games played this season. She did not just participate in those matches, she also scored a goal and made four assists.
Keep it up Berber, we’ll keep following you!
Before Berber and Julia left for the USA, they came to our office to make a ‘Catching up with… video’. Are you curious about that video? Check it out here!
6. Jasmijn Verdoes
Jasmijn, the hockey player from Noordwijk, has been part of Hofstra University since this year. She started in all 12 matches, scored no less than 5 goals and made 5 assists. And Jasmijn doesn’t just score goals, but she also made ‘the big game-winner’ against Towson in extra time! With that, she is ranked 2nd of all players within the CAA. Jasmijn was selected to the All-CAA Team and was named to the CAA All-Rookie team.
And she’s only just in her Freshman year: let’s go champ!
5. Eva Nunnink
Eva Nunnink from Eindhoven, student-athlete at Duke, started in all 16 games this season! She scored 3 goals, made two assists and made several nice defensive actions!
And those nice actions did not go unnoticed: ‘the league office’ announced that Eva was awarded the All-ACC First Team recognition. In addition, she finished fifth in the competition with a total of 43 shots, and sixth while looking at shots per game: with 2.69! Great work Eva!
Last year we made a cool field hockey webinar with Duke University. Would you like to check it out? You can do that via this link!
And did you know that Eva is not the only hockey champ in the family? Her sister, Laura Nunnink, has already played a lot of games with the Dutch national team! Do you also want to have an unique experience as Eva and the others had? Check out the button below.
4. Julia Duffhuis
Delaware hockey player Julia was previously named CAA ‘Rookie of the Year 2020’. She became the third student-athlete ever in the history of the school to receive this award! She scored four goals in her freshman year, with that she became the team’s second highest placed player. She was also ranked third in the CAA in goals per game.
In addition to her Rookie of the Year award, Julia was also the only Blue Hen named in the All-CAA Second team and All-CAA Rookie team. Beautiful performance Julia!
Before Berber and Julia left for the USA, they came to our office to film a ‘Catching up with… video’. Are you curious about that video? Check it out here!
3. Eleonore Boekhorst
Freshman Eleonore was named goalkeeper of the year. With that, she became the first winner of a major prize since the River Hawks started playing in Division I in 2013. Besides goalkeeper of the year, she was also named in the Conference First Team and the All-Rookie Team. In addition, Eleonore started all 11 games, was named America East Defensive Player of the Week three (!) Times and Rookie of the Week twice.
Eleonore’s achievements are valuable to the team, coach Shannon LeBlanc said the following about Eleonore: “Leo has been the backbone of our defensive unit this year and her goalkeeping stats are truly impressive for a first-year player,” explained LeBlanc. “She demands excellence from herself every day, whether it be in a game or a training session. We are pleased that the conference recognized her talents this season. ” Wow, those are great compliments Eleonore! Go Hawks!!
2. Marlon de Bruijne
Marlon de Bruijne exchanged Den Bosch for a career as a student-athlete at Old Dominion and it soon became apparent that that was a good decision. She is the 10th student-athlete in the school’s history to receive the ‘Freshman of the Year’ award. Her predecessor received it in 2015, making her the first in 6 years!
Marlon already made a big impression during her first season: she led the team with 13 goals and 28 points. The highest marks of all Dominions since 2013! Great results, and that as a freshman. You go girl !!
1. Anthe Nijziel
Junior student-athlete Anthe Nijziel is part of the hockey team at the University of Iowa. Last week, the conference announced that it was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. It’s been more common for a college athlete in Iowa to receive both awards, but Anthe is the first to receive them in the same season. Very special achievement, for which coach Celluci has some nice words: “To be named the Big Ten Player of the Year as well as the Defensive Player of the Year is a remarkable accomplishment and one that she is so deserving of. From the minute Anthe stepped on campus as a freshmen, she has made an impact on and off the field. Besides her unbelievable skill and competitiveness, Anthe possesses a humble excellence and what makes her so special is that she is the first person to turn the spotlight on her teammates and reminds each of them how important they are to our success. Anthe is joining elite Iowa Field Hockey company today becoming the seventh Big Ten Player of the Year and the seventh Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in program history. ”
A proud coach. That’s amazing Anthe!!
An impressive list with great prizes for these 8 hockey players! Do you now also want to go to the USA for field hockey? Or would you like more information? Reach out, we’re happy to help.
