On the field, she has only played a handful of games in the big league. But in the hall, 18-year-old Sophie Thoolen is one of the stars of her team. The Pinoké talent has already scored eight goals this season. With that, she is well on her way to ending up at the top of the Hoofdklasse Hall top scorers list, just like last year.
Last season, Thoolen already finished second in that ranking with eleven goals. As a junior, the striker then played for both Pinoké Under 18-1 and Women’s 1. Not without reason, then, given her productivity in the circle. This year she is impressing again and with two rounds of play to go, her total of goals from last year is already within reach.
Look for Soof in the middle of the circle,” was therefore regularly heard during the games against Kampong (4-4) and HDM (3-3), both from the audience and within the team itself. In Eemnes, Thoolen was able to find the goal a little less than in the previous two rounds, but still managed to score twice. A penalty corner and a typical striker’s goal: her two trademarks.
That shouting doesn’t add to the pressure, says the goalgetter. I especially like the fact that they believe in me. In youth I really scored a lot, dozens of goals per season. That was partly because of my penalty corner. In the hall you get more chances, of course. You have to know where the spaces are and the corner is dependent on passing. Now that I am getting plenty of playing minutes in the hall, it is only nice for me that my teammates see me as a dangerous striker.
Congratulations from Elin van Erk for Sophie Thoolen. Photo: Bart Scheulderman.
On the field regularly the seventeenth man
The contrast with the field could hardly be greater. Thoolen came to Pinoké as a sophomore C from Alliance. She was part of the Dutch Under 16 team and was a steady and important force in the first line teams, of course partly because of her nose for the goal. Last summer, Thoolen made the switch to Ladies 1, but there she regularly falls outside the match selection.
I am the youngest of the team. When I’m not allowed to play, I join the second team. Of course eventually I want to make more minutes on the field. The coaches believe in me. Express that too. I am confident that I will play more in the future, although for now it is unfortunate. Maybe that’s why it feels extra good that things are going well in the hall now.’
Top scorer in Europe
Nice is an understatement, according to Pinoké coach Daan Sabel. Last year we had a very small indoor team. We asked Sophie to join us then, also because we knew she would move up to Ladies 1 after the summer. She completely lived up to her reputation as a great talent and goal scorer that winter. Not only in the regular competition, but also during the European Cup 2, where she became joint top scorer [sixteen goals in five games]. Insanely clever for someone seventeen years old with no experience at that level. She really is a circle striker and has a good corner. A player you like to have around.’
Pinoké coach Daan Sabel instructs Thoolen. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
On the field, the step to the seniors is less easy for Thoolen. Sabel: ‘Such a first year goes with ups and downs. Last year we said, ‘Thank you for filling in. You helped us.’ Now we expect more. Sophie definitely has potential and also has a very good corner on the field. She has competition up front and is therefore in a difficult position, but still shows her best side. By asking for feedback and about how she can get better.’
Thoolen still has at least four more games in the hall to put herself in the spotlight and further increase her production. ‘Halfway through the league I was at eight goals, so I’m going for at least sixteen. Then I hope to continue that line on the field. I already train every week with Imke Verstraeten on the penalty corner. To score goals on the field at some point, that’s my goal. And until then I will give everything in the hall.
by Hockey.nl
