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When Pieke van de Pas was named the best player in the ICC tournament — a local indoor field hockey circuit — her club head coach at HV Weert, Jules Smolenaars, wasn’t surprised. As a focal point of the team’s offense, van de Pas led her team to a final four finish.

Though van de Pas was used to playing on outdoor fields in the Netherlands, her offensive prowess adapted to the court seamlessly. She showcased the same smooth transition when moving from the Netherlands to Syracuse for her first year of collegiate competition.

So far in her freshman season at SU, van de Pas has averaged nearly a goal per game. She’s made an instant impact as a ball-dominant attacking midfielder equipped with a strong first-time shot. Her eight goals are tied for best on the team lead and rank second in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She’s played a pivotal role in helping SU earn the No. 10 spot through nine games.

At HV Weert, Smolenaars said he quickly identified van de Pas’ skills. Her former coach said van de Pas was “very aggressive and dynamic,” working hard to win possession. The pair also continuously worked on her backhand, one of van de Pas’ strengths. Smolenaars harped on the importance of timing and taught van de Pas to clean up her footwork.

“The more opportunities you have to shoot come off the backhand. If you use your time in your training with great efficiency, you can individualize shooting,” Smolenaars said.

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Alongside her ICC tournament success, van de Pas performed well on the outdoor circuit with HV Weert. In 2021, HV Weert won the Royal Dutch Hockey Association First Division C title and earned promotion to the Promotieklasse — the second division of Dutch field hockey.

After her time with HV Weert, Van de Pas spent three years with VHMC MOP Dames 1. She emerged as a key member on the squad, said Mark Dekker, Dames 1’s head coach. Van de Pas was a consistent threat to opposing defenses, showcasing her signature backhand, he said.

“She can be a real killing machine with her backhand,” Dekker said.

Van de Pas also has the physicality to win 1v1s, Dekker said. Defensively, he said she worked well in systems that implemented a high press. Dekker also said van de Pas’ careful footwork helped with her positioning.

“Her aggressiveness suits outdoors better because indoors are a little more strict,” Smolenaars said. “You can use speed, power, and aggressiveness outside. She has extra capacity outside because she’s so fast.”

Despite spending her entire life in the Netherlands, Syracuse was a good fit for van de Pas. SU head coach Lynn Farquhar’s emphasis on transition offense creates thriving opportunities. In the U.S. collegiate game, one that is far less passing oriented and more individualized, van de Pas’ shooting power and skills have been amplified.

Marielle Coolen, van de Pas’ mother, said moving to the U.S. for college helped her daughter focus strictly on improving at the sport. When van de Pas was still in the Netherlands, she used to practice ballet and work jobs as a waitress and accountant. Coolen said the quality of hockey at HV Weert wasn’t as strong and that the U.S. is a strong place to develop.

“She fits perfectly in university sports because everything is so competitive between top teams,” Smolenaars said. “They play as if their lives are at stake.”

Published on September 28, 2023 at 12:27 am