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Van Hoof’s Veteran & Vocal Presence Vital to Wake Forest Field Hockey

  • Writer: Samantha Wexler
    Samantha Wexler
  • Oct 19, 2020
  • 3 min read

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Hailing from the Netherlands, senior Anne Van Hoof is a tough defender who has the ability to make good striking plays as well (Photo: Wake Forest Athletic Communications)


WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Sprawling out onto the turf to stop a forward pass, senior Anne Van Hoof demonstrated her grit as she fell to the ground. Her endurance was seen through all 60 minutes on the field on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Kentner Stadium. 


As the WAKE - FOREST chant echoed through the 40 or so parents in the stands, Van Hoof’s voice is clear as day on the pitch. The defensive leader is constantly looking to find pockets of success for the Deacons and lets her teammates know if she does. Head Coach Jen Averill noted the success of their defensive press this year in the pre-game press conference and Van Hoof’s veteran presence on the back line is a large reason for that. 


Last season, the defender from the Netherlands led the team in goals, tallying seven. Starting in all 20 games, she amassed a total of 15 points on the year, good enough for second on the squad. She finished the season as a NFHCA Second Team All-American on the field and an All-ACC Academic in the classroom to top it all off. While she currently only has one goal on the year, she commands the team from the back line. This year, playing just a handful of games rather than a traditional slate of 20 or more, Van Hoof’s role on the field and in the locker room is amplified. 


The Demon Deacons this year are “fit, fast and skilled” in the eyes of 29th-year Head Coach Jen Averill. Averill is Wake Forest Field Hockey. Building the program from the ground up almost thirty years ago, she has amassed a 384-199-3 (.660) record over her time here along with three NCAA Championships. So, when Averill pegs you as a captain on her field hockey team, that is a big deal.


Van Hoof, along with fellow seniors Alexis Grippo and Elisha Evans, are serving as captains this year in an abbreviated COVID-19 season. Focused on building great leaders and people in addition to stars on the field, Averill expects players to reflect upon game play, led by their captains. 


“Tonight when we are watching a film, the one thing we ask the girls is to give us feedback,” Averill said in the post-game Zoom after a hard-fought 2-1 loss to the Orange on Sunday. “The third quarter, we had a ten minute rest, why did we come out so flat? What happened? What imploded? Why the trainwreck? We can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. We see it on film but what will be equally or more important is to identify the same things that the staff is and adapt.”


While the Demon Deacons were not able to grab a win in either outing against the Orange, there were positives to glean from the games. Averill stressed the importance of improving the Wake squad rather than focusing solely on their opponent. 75% focus on Wake to 25% opponent preparation was the ratio she gave. On Sunday, the Deacons started so hot, they could have been playing the US Olympic team for all they cared. In the first period of play the Deacons posted a 5-to-1 shot differential in addition to earning three penalty corners.


“I thought we had Syracuse running well in the first half and we had a lot of pressure, but our ability to finish is a recurring theme,” Averill said Sunday on the post-game Zoom. “We have to remain persistent and get some better spacing and create better opportunities.”


With just a few games remaining and the senior game coming up on Friday, October 23rd, the time is now to create those better opportunities. While the sun is likely setting on Van Hoof’s successful career as a Demon Deacon, she is making it count. On the pitch, after the Monday match, Coach Averill applauded her on her best defensive game yet. It’s certainly coming at the right time and the Deacon defense will be one to watch in the ACC Championships.


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