On Aug. 23, field hockey midfielder Sophie Rosmalen turned 18.
And no, she’s no freshman.
She’s a general management sophomore, playing for the second year on the now No. 3 ranked MSU field hockey team.
But not only did she have to adjust to the team and to college life at the age of 16, she also had to learn the country’s language and culture - she’s originally from Oss, Netherlands.
“It didn’t really affect me,” Rosmalen said. “There was a whole team waiting here, so I knew it would be okay.
“I had a great time meeting everyone in the preseason, the team is like a big family. Everyone’s wonderful.”
Rosmalen began playing field hockey as a young girl and said her father got her started in the sport.
“My dad used to play, so that’s how I got into it,” Rosmalen said.
After playing on a youth national championship team in the Netherlands, it wasn’t long before opportunities began to appear for Rosmalen.
But what brought her to MSU to play field hockey was the sharp eye of assistant head coach Rolf Van de Kerkhof. He spotted Rosmalen during a national tournament in the Netherlands and knew MSU would be a fantastic next step for the talented youth.
“At first I only knew her jersey number, I didn’t even know who she was, but she was playing very well,” Kerkhof said.
It didn’t take long for Kerkhof to talk to her parents and meet Rosmalen. He said she liked the idea of coming to MSU, and by late spring of 2000, Rosmalen had verbally committed.
Although it may not have been an easy decision to make, head coach Michele Madison said the coaches and family knew it would benefit her in the long run to pick up and move to East Lansing.
“She had no problems at all, she took everything in stride very well,” Madison said. “She helped us from the get-go, she was an up-and-coming player in the Netherlands, and she is here too.”
At first, coach Madison was taken back by Rosmalen’s young age. But she said Rosmalen’s relationships with coaches and players has been outstanding from day one.
Rosmalen’s positive attitude along with her great personality helped her adjust to the team, Madison said. However adjusting to the team wasn’t the only matter at hand - getting used to the country’s culture, was another.
“I knew English before, but it’s gotten better,” Rosmalen said. “I like it in the (United States) a lot.”
Senior forward Bridget Cooper was also impressed by Rosmalen’s intensive playing ability and smooth transition to MSU.
“At first there was a little concern (about her age),” Cooper said. “It wasn’t a problem though, she proved herself right off the bat.”
As this season begins, things couldn’t be better for Rosmalen, Kerkhof said.
“This season the team’s chemistry helped her find her role, to make a bigger impact as a player,” Kerkhof said.
Things are very positive for the team as well. Coming back from a strong season last year, the team has started this season with a (2-0) record and are enjoying a HockeyPoint! coaches’ poll that gives them a No. 3 ranking - the highest in school history.
That strong beginning has Rosmalen and the Spartans planning on a spot in this year’s NCAA tournament.
“We have a really great team this year,” Rosmalen said. “We started off great, and I have a lot of faith in the season.”
After the season, Rosmalen said a trip back home and a future career there isn’t out of the question.
“Right now I have all the time in the world, so I’m taking whatever comes,” Rosmalen said. “I would still like to go back home and play for the Dutch national team.”
