Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Soccer Senior Prepares For Last Season
July 21, 2010 | Cowgirl Soccer
July 21, 2010
By Jordie Lindley
Many student-athletes look forward to meeting with their families after each home game, getting hugs and encouragement and catching up on old times. But Oklahoma State senior Annika Niemeier doesn't have that luxury because her family is living over 5,000 miles away.
Niemeier is from Willingen-Usseln, a small town two hours north of Frankfurt, Germany. When it came time to choose a college in the United States at which to play soccer, Niemeier had a few connections in Oklahoma. Former OSU defender Angelika Feldbacher and Niemeier's teammate from the German national team was currently playing at OSU.
“I found out about OSU soccer through my friend Angelika. I knew her from the German national team and we had stayed in touch,” Niemeier said. “She was the one that told me that OSU was still looking for a player for the 2006 season. I had just graduated from high school, and it seemed like a good time to try something different. I also looked into other colleges, but OSU ended up being the best choice for me.”
Niemeier committed to OSU and was excited about coming to America but ended up tearing her ACL during a training camp for the Under-20 German National Team in March 2006.
“It was in practice, and our goalie and I were both going for the ball,” Niemeier said. “I got there first, and our goalie hit my knee from the side. It wasn't a perfect situation to come here injured, but I was glad I could still come and get good rehabilitation for my knee.”
After doing some rehabilitation during the summer, Niemeier was hoping to be able to play in the 2006 season, but the doctors had other things in mind.
“I had hoped to be back on the field sooner,” she said. “I actually had hoped I wouldn't have to redshirt. But after a while it became obvious that I wouldn't be able to play during my freshman season. This was the hardest part, to come here to play soccer and then having to watch the team play for an entire season.”
After a long and tiring 2006 season, Niemeier came back strong for her redshirt freshman campaign in 2007. She was named to the Central Region All-Freshman team by Soccer Buzz Magazine. She played in all 23 games that season and started 21 times. She tied for third on the team with 43 shots, finished sixth with 12 points and was second with six assists.
“I was so happy to be back on the field that I didn't care much about how good I played as long as I played,” Niemeier said.
The rest is history. Niemeier has had one of the more impressive careers at OSU. In 2009 she started all 24 games, was named an All-Big 12 First Team midfielder and was also named to the NSCAA All-Central Region second team. She also earned a spot on the Big 12 Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team. She led OSU with 11 goals and ranked second with four assists. She also led the Big 12 with seven game-winning goals and ranked in the top 10 in the conference in goals and points with 26.
Although her experience here in America has been fun, there are things that she misses about Germany.
“I miss watching the Bundesliga (German's first soccer league) every Saturday,” Niemeier said. “Food-wise I miss German bread and chocolate. I miss going mountain biking and going skiing, which I do a lot when I'm at home.”
Student-athletes in America are used to playing sports for their high school but because of the differences in systems, Germany doesn't have high school sports.
“Sports are played in clubs in Germany,” Niemeier said. “Also on the team I played on last in Germany, I started playing when I was 16 and before that I had only played with boys. But on the same team were players that were in their mid-30s. It's a lot different when you have players on the field that have a lot of experience instead of just having players that are around 18-to-23 years old. In a way I like it better, only having young players because that means even if you are just 20, you have to take a lot of responsibility.”
Not only did Niemeier have to acclimate to a different playing style from what she was used to in Germany, she also had to acclimate to the climate and the eating schedule in America.
“I had to adjust to the weather,” she said. “It never gets as hot and humid in Germany as it gets here. Eating-wise there are big differences, too. I still don't like to eat out that much. And in Germany the biggest meal is lunch and not dinner. It took a little time to get used to that.”
Although transitioning to American culture was hard at first, Niemeier is still happy about her decision to come to OSU.
“My experience here has been great, and I never regretted taking this step,” she said.
With a new set of freshman and a Big 12 Championship title to defend, Niemeier is excited about the 2010 season.
“Our team goals are to repeat the success we had the last few years,” Niemeier said. “We want to win the Big 12 again and then finally make it to the Sweet 16. Personally, I want to play as good as I did last year and do everything I can to help the team accomplish its goals.”
After a slow start to the 2009 season, Niemeier is hoping the Cowgirls can improve their start at the beginning of the season and stay strong until the end.
“We need to try to play a more consistent season and play on a high level from the beginning,” she said. “Last year it took too long until everybody had figured out their position in the team.”
Niemeier will be one of the captains on the team during the 2010 season and looks forward to the new responsibility.
“As a senior and captain I know I will have to play a big role in leading this team,” Niemeier said. “But I think what is special about this team is that we have a lot of players that take responsibility, on and off the field.”
There have been many strides in the OSU soccer program during Niemeier's career here, and many memories that she will never forget.
“There are so many favorite memories that connect back to soccer here, like beating Notre Dame, winning the Big 12 tournament and season title and making the NCAA Tournament every year,” Niemeier said. “Overall the best memories will just be all the friends I made during my time here. I wouldn't have enjoyed my time here as much as I did if it wasn't for all the people I met.”
