By Savannah Ramirez, Staff Writer
Fleur Hofman, a Netherlands-born field hockey phenom, came to America just two years ago with the opportunity to study here at LIU Post and play on their field hockey team. Although her time here was not the full four years, she came just as dedicated and talented.
Hofman goes into detail about her journey of being a field hockey goalie, what started it all, and where it brought her.
“Between 5-8 years old I started playing field hockey because my brother was part of a soccer club. I was always watching my brother and then our parents were like ‘what can we do for our daughters?’. So they founded the field hockey club…and that was the first club I played for. I found the goalie suit so fun. So I became a goalie and I became very good at it and then I decided to transfer clubs.”
Not only does Hofman come to America with differences in culture, but she also comes with a different playing style of field hockey.
Hoffman makes a lot of comparisons and contrasts to both the atmosphere of the gameplay and also the rule differences between her home country, the Netherlands, and America.
“Your name is being called, you cannot end a game with a tie, there has to be overtime, there has to be a shootout. I like the way of the games here [in America] more.”
Throughout her career as a goalie, she’s proven herself, and her skills, to be well past expectations with her ability to act calmly under pressure and lead her team to six shutout victories during the 2024 season; which include three straight against conference rivals, 7-0 over Mercyhurst, 2-0 against Saint Francis University and 5-0 against Stonehill. Because of her performance, she was awarded the NEC’s Defensive Player of the Week during that stretch. But this is hardly a surprise given Hofman’s track record in the Netherlands playing on national teams.
“I made it to the Dutch Under 18 and the Dutch Under 21,” she states.
Hofman attributes her success to her supportive parents, her self-imposed pressure to win, and her all-round experience. Whether it’s one or all of them; Hofman radiates compassion and motivation for her team and especially for the sport she loves, and it shows.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Being a senior on this Sharks team, Hofman played her last game for LIU in their 1-2 loss against the Wagner Seahawks in the Northeast Conference Tournament.
Hofman expresses her love and gratitude for field hockey and the opportunity to play for the teams in her home country and at LIU, but also realizes that it is not her end goal in life.
“I also think there’s a lot more than [playing field hockey]; I want to see what I can do academically,” she said. “It’s very sad, but being a top athlete ends at one day.”
Just like field hockey, her personality and work ethic make her a star in both the sports world and the professional one.
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