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Nicole Kowalewski

Defender

/

2025

Class

Freshman

D.O.B.

13-12-2005

Nationality

New Zealand

athletic info

CURRENT TEAM(S)

New Zealand u18, Premier Womens club hockey

Position

Defender

2nd position

Defensive Mid

Height

5'8''

ACADEMIC INFO

GPA

3.5

SAT/ACT

TOEFL

N/A

Duo Lingo

N/A

Preferred Major

Open

Additional information

My hockey background

Hockey for me started at the age of 10, I started playing for my school (we were a very little country school), and we could only make a 6 aside team in the local grade. When I was 11 I made the Taranaki regional u13 team which I made for 3 years and from then the u15 regional team for 2 years and the u18 regional team for 3 years, with 2023 being my last year, i also captained the 2023 team which placed 8th at the national competition.

In 2023 I was also selected for the New Zealand Future Black Sticks u21’s camp. Along with playing for my region I played club hockey in the b grade for two years and then in the a grade for the following 5 years. I also played in the top school grade team for all 5 years of high school, co-captaining the team for my last two years of high school. I now play hockey in the top club grade in the Hawkes Bay regional grade.

This season I am part of the elite training program as well. From my junior years of high school I slowly worked my way from a striker to the back, and from 2021 I have played mostly midfield and then in 2023 mostly in the defensive line or defensive midfield. While I love going forward and attacking I also have a stronger defensive game, with my out letting vision, patience in tackling and communication in organisation being some of my strengths.

Why I want to play college field hockey

I have always been really keen to play college field hockey in the USA because of the opportunity for new experiences. Learning about a new country, improving my playing ability, meeting new people and making life long friends. As well as studying and having the opportunity to be amongst others that have similar interests and goals in life.

I like the idea of having the opportunity to study and play hockey at the same time, as well as pushing myself to find my limits in all aspects of my life. I want to experience new coaches and therefore new ideas, and play hockey to the highest and most professional level that I possibly can while also enjoying it and loving learning and travelling off the field as well.