With two goals, she was the undisputed matchwinner in the topper against Amsterdam (2-0). And meanwhile, the striker already stands at fifteen goals this season for SCHC. It goes fast with the development of Jip Dicke. ‘I really do know how many I’ve scored.’
Goals and Jip Dicke are inextricably linked this season. Dicke is a complete striker, whereas she used to not want to play at that position at all. Meanwhile, she may be the best finisher in the Women’s big league. Especially when you take a look at the top scorer list. Of all her hits, Dicke made eleven field goals. More than, for example, internationals Frédérique Matla (2), Fay van der Elst (8) and Freeke Moes (5).
Which of the two goals against Amsterdam best describes her style of play? That’s hard to say. Her first goal was a shot from the spin. A dry hit from the edge of the circle. Something Dicke does often, but which you don’t see very often in women’s field hockey. The second goal was one from close range. She tapped the ball into the ropes from the air, near the penalty spot. The spot where she strikes most often this season.
A happy Jip Dicke, right after her goal. Photo: Willem Vernes
She used to hit her teammates
‘I’ve been training so much lately on hitting from the spin,’ Dicke says. ‘I wasn’t good at that at all. Missed them more often than hit them. And when I did hit, I could also hit a teammate out of turn,” she says with a smile. Dicke beams and enjoys the victory. By then she has said the phrase, “We were really fokking good today,” at least four times.
She praises her fellow attackers. Her coach and the rest of her team. Because according to her, things are going ‘really super nice‘ in Bilthoven. ‘Before the winter you lose to Den Bosch and play even against Amsterdam. Now you win against Amsterdam and play even against Den Bosch. We are really making strides,’ she says.
Just like Dicke herself. When she switched from HDM to SCHC last season, she had to get used to it. It was searching for the right gear. But when she found it, she stepped on the gas pedal. That did not escape national coach Raoul Ehren, who rewarded her performance with a spot on the national team. There too she had to get going, but is now finding her feet. Being decisive in top games was still on her list. But that can be ticked off the list after Sunday.
Jip Dicke and Maud van den Heuvel, the two trainee players of the Orange. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘Normally toppers are decided on details. The main thing is to get returns,’ Dicke explained. ‘We managed that last week against Den Bosch with a penalty corner or six and against Amsterdam we got fourteen. That’s just going very well,’ she says. ‘Amsterdam is a nice team to play against anyway. I already thought so when I played for HDM. They want to attack, so then you know you get space in front.’
Reviewing her goals at home
‘If you had told me beforehand that I would make two today, I would have signed for it right away,’ she describes her joy. She is honest about the importance of her goals. She needs them to get better. ‘It gives me confidence. I really do know how many times I have scored. I’m a striker, so of course I’m working on it. I’ll watch them back when I get home later. I think someone has already forwarded them to me.’ Then she laughs. ‘I hadn’t scored in two games, so it was about time again.’
I get confidence from scoring goals. I know how many times I’ve scored. I’m a striker, so of course I’m working on it. I’ll watch them back when I get home later. Jip Dicke
Her internship weeks with the Orange are now over. The four weeks of touring are over and the question is whether she will remain part of the Dutch team. ‘I would really regret it when it’s over,’ she says. ‘I learn so much from it. I started playing much faster myself because of it. If I am not allowed to stay, I will train at SCHC again on Tuesdays. A training session with five people, because the rest are with the Dutch or the youth team. That’s a big difference.
Photo: Willem Vernes
The national coach was also an attentive spectator in Bilthoven on Sunday afternoon. So he was able to witness his trainee pupil ‘s performance live. But Dicke doesn’t want to deal too much with that pressure. She prefers to think about the EHL, the playoffs and the national title, which she believes will come this season. It would then be the first time SCHC, after many lost finals, wins the bowl.
Dicke wants to grab two prizes
‘The EHL is going to be fantastic. I expect us to just win from the Irish, so be in the quarterfinals against Den Bosch. I think we are equal. We drew last week. That was a good indicator.’
Dicke came to SCHC to play for prizes. ‘I want to win everything. But most of all the national title. SCHC has been in the finals of the playoffs for three years in a row. They have been so close for years. That prize would really be a relief. I wished SCHC this when I was still at HDM. They really deserve it.
by Hockey.nl
