After just two months in the United States, 18-year-old freshman Anne Marie Roozendaal has been the key player to the success of the Huskie field hockey team.

Almost an unknown face to her opponents, Roozendaal has provided offense through speed and accurate shooting.

Roozendaal arrived from Gauda, Netherlands, last August on a one-year scholarship to play field hockey. “A friend of mine received a scholarship to play hockey in New York, and said that I should apply to some universities as well,” Roozendaal said.

After watching the popular sport of field hockey in the Netherlands, Roozendaal fell in love with the game and joined a club at the age of 10.

“It was then when they told me to play on offense, and I have never played another position,” Roozendaal said.

NIU field hockey coach Laurie Bell has been impressed with the performance of Roozendaal and said speed is what makes her such a good player. “She is very skilled and extremely fast, she’s our main offensive weapon,” Bell said.

Bell also said that Roozendaal is more of a team player and if she has the opportunity to set up an offensive attack, it wouldn’t be without the aid of her teammates. “I want to score when I have the opportunity, but if someone is open I will pass it to them,” Roozendaal said.

Adjusting to school and field hockey in the U.S. is something Roozendaal has had to get used to. For instance, scoring a goal in the Netherlands can only be done when the shot is taken from inside the circle. But in the United States the rule is that a shot can be taken from anywhere.

Roozendaal said the school system is also very different. “When you attend a university in the Netherlands you don’t live there, you just go to class and then go home,” she said.

Although Roozendaal will return to the Netherlands at the end of the school year, she said she enjoys the company of her friends and playing on the team. “We are a good team and play well together,” Roozendaal said.

Field hockey will continue to play an important role in Roozendaal’s life. Although she is studying economics, Roozendaal plans on joining the Netherlands National team. That team will represent the Netherlands in the 1992 Olympics.

“I would like to play in the Olympics, but that’s just what I want, that doesn’t mean I am going to get it,” Roozendaal said.

But for now Roozendaal will concentrate on the next Huskie field hockey game against the Michigan Wolverines. “I really have no idea how good they are, I just want to play my best and win,” she said.