From field hockey champion to the lacrosse world cup: The incredible American adventure of Lisa Slinkert
When 18-year-old Lisa Slinkert boarded a plane to America five years ago, she had one clear goal: to combine high-level field hockey with her studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Becoming a two-time national field hockey champion was already a dream come true. But no one could have predicted that five years later, she would be selected for the Dutch national team at the Lacrosse World Cup—a sport she had never even played at the time.
“Sometimes you just have to be a little delusional,”
Lisa laughs, just before departing for the World Cup with the Dutch national team. Her journey is the ultimate proof of what can happen when you take a leap of faith.
Culture shock and early doubts
The adventure began through Made Scholarships, after a friend enthusiastically shared her own experiences with Dennis. While Lisa herself was ready to dive straight in, her parents were less enthusiastic. Lisa remembers they weren’t too thrilled about it at first.
“My sister had already moved out, and suddenly they wondered: what are we supposed to do on the weekends without her games?”
Moreover, the start in America was intense. The American elite sports culture demanded everything from her. While in the Netherlands you often don’t step onto the field until the evening after a long day of studying or working, in America, sports come first. Practices, video meetings, and weight training are scheduled right in the middle of the day, and the rest of your schedule is simply built around that.
Guidance during difficult moments
This massive adjustment and high pressure caused homesickness to hit mercilessly halfway through the first season. For a moment, she really didn’t know if she wanted to see it through. It simply became too much for her. At that moment, the importance of good guidance became clear. Lisa reached out to Made Scholarships.
“I had a lot of contact with Dennis back then. He helped me tremendously, looked at my options, and dragged me through it. Thanks to that support, I pushed through, and looking back, it was the best decision of my life.”
Her perseverance paid off richly. Lisa went on to win the national NCAA Division 1 championship twice with UNC.
“The second time was a home game. The entire bar we always went to was rented out, it was completely packed with fans, and everything around us was blue. That is a memory I will never forget.”
Combining elite sports with top-tier academic support from the university
Many Dutch athletes and their parents worry that an adventure in America will come at the expense of their studies. Lisa explains that the exact opposite is true. The academic support is at least as professional as the coaching on the field.
“During our first year, we were required to meet with an academic advisor every week. Together, we created a tight plan for the week. If you were struggling with a particular subject, you were immediately assigned a private tutor. The university does everything it can to ensure your success. This support isn’t entirely optional, by the way: If your grades aren’t high enough, you aren’t allowed to play or practice. Then you have to sit on the sidelines during practice time and do your homework. Fortunately, everyone on our team always had good grades, but they are very strict about it.”
“I have never done it before, so I think I can do it”
After four successful years of field hockey, Lisa’s eligibility (the period during which you are allowed to compete in the university league) for hockey had run out. But she loved her life as a student-athlete so much that she didn’t want to go home just yet. Through a connection, she heard about a Division 1 lacrosse team in Miami. The team was relatively new and looking for older players with an elite sports mindset. Lisa had no experience with lacrosse; she had never even held a stick.
Inspired by a quote her father later reminded her of—“I have never done it before, so I think I can do it”—she decided to take the gamble. She moved to Miami for an MBA in Finance at St. Thomas University in Florida and completely immersed herself in this new world.
Going the extra mile
The transition required a major dose of discipline and hard work. While her teammates headed to the locker room after a grueling two-hour practice, Lisa happily added another hour to practice her stick technique on her own. Her teammates sometimes thought she was crazy, but to Lisa, it made perfect sense:
“When I commit to something, I give it a full 100%. I just wanted to get good.”
Within one year to the lacrosse World Cup
During a summer vacation in the Netherlands, Lisa decided to participate in a low-key beach lacrosse tournament, purely to get some game rhythm. There, her talent was immediately noticed by players from the Dutch national team. They told her that if she practiced six days a week in America, she could make it to the World Cup within a year. This provided extra motivation for the ambitious former field hockey player.
“My parents wondered what I had gotten into my head this time, but I thought: to the World Cup within a year, that is my new goal.”
Making the most of her strengths
And she succeeded. Although she is understandably behind in stick technique compared to players who have been competing in the sport for years, Lisa more than makes up for it with her field hockey insight, communication, and pure speed.
“I know exactly what my strengths are and try not to do too many difficult things. I shouldn’t go one-on-one, but rather look for open space and pass the ball quickly. At the World Cup, we play a high-tempo game five days in a row. Then it comes down to who has the fittest team, and thanks to my years in America, I am absolutely fit.”
Doors keep opening: Graduate Assistant in Miami
Lisa’s American adventure is far from over after this World Cup. After the summer, she will return to Miami to finish her master’s degree. Since her years as an active player are coming to an end after this season, she has been given a unique new role: she will become a Graduate Assistant (assistant coach) for the team.
Lisa’s American adventure is far from over after this World Cup. After the summer, she will return to Miami to finish her master’s degree. Since her years as an active player are coming to an end after this season, she has been given a unique new role: she will become a Graduate Assistant (assistant coach) for the team.
From fixed patterns to unexpected opportunities
If Lisa had stayed in the Netherlands, her athletic life would have turned out very differently. Lisa reflects:
“I think I was quite close-minded back then. In the Netherlands, I probably would have just stuck with field hockey, or completely quit after a few years. I would have never picked up lacrosse here.”
In America, she discovered that there is much more room to develop yourself and try new things. The fact that she is now competing in a World Cup in a sport she had never even played a year ago is purely thanks to her decision to make the move to the US for field hockey back then.
“America simply gives you so many opportunities to figure out what you truly want and what else you are capable of.”
A message for young athletes having doubts
Looking back at her entire journey now—from the very first field hockey intake at Made Scholarships to her upcoming games at the Lacrosse World Cup—she has one clear piece of advice for young athletes who are still hesitant about taking the leap to America:
“My mindset is always: I’d rather regret something I did do than regret something I didn’t do. If you don’t do it, you’ll always be left thinking: what if? When I left for field hockey, I didn’t know what to expect either, and I suffered from really severe homesickness during my first year. But you can go back home at any moment if it’s not for you. There is always a way back. So just try it. It gives you opportunities and memories that you simply never would have gotten in the Netherlands.”
Do you want to play college sports in America just like Lisa?
Curious about your options and whether you qualify for a scholarship? Schedule a free, no-obligation introductory meeting with the Made Scholarships team today and take the first step toward your own success story!
