Tresfield Adjusting To Life In Stillwater

By John Langham, OSU Athletic Communications

Since first kicking a soccer ball at the age of six, Laurene Tresfield has come a long way.

"I started playing soccer because my brother played and my father did too," Tresfield said. "I liked the competition, the team spirit and just playing the game."

Before the 2014 season, Oklahoma State head coach Colin Carmichael was looking to recruit a player that could help the team become more physical. While attending a showcase event in Paris, France, Carmichael found what he was looking for.

"After watching Laurene (Tresfield) for a full day, I knew that she had those tools," Carmichael said. "We were able to speak to her, and we followed up through email and just got the communication open."

"Colin (Carmichael) talked to me about the team," Tresfield said. "He talked to me about their goals, like wanting to win the Big 12, so I was interested in OSU. They were looking for a defensive-midfield player so I thought it was good fit for me."

Tresfield, a Paris, France native, came to OSU because she was looking to continue playing soccer while getting an education.

"I liked the concept of going to school and playing soccer," Tresfield said. "When I was in high school it was the same concept, but in France we don't have this for college so I wanted to come to the United States."

Since arriving at OSU, Tresfield has been a key contributor for the Cowgirls. As a freshman last season, she played in 20 games, including 13 starts, and was ranked among the TopDrawerSoccer.com Women's Freshmen Top 100.

While growing up in France, Tresfield played for FC Juvisy Essonne, leading the club to a French championship in 2012. She also earned two caps with the French U-17 national team.

"In Europe it's a slower, more tactical type of game, whereas in the U.S., especially in college, it's very run-and-gun, play fast and do everything quickly. I think Laurene has had to adapt to that," Carmichael said.

But Tresfield's international experience is part of why Carmichael sees her as a valuable player for the Cowgirls.

"To just go and play with and against other international kids, it just makes you better, and I think she brings that experience with her," Carmichael said. "The things that she's seen and done, she can bring that into the U.S. style of play and make us better."

Traveling to a different country to study and play soccer presents many challenges though, one of which is learning a different language.

"I think the first year she struggled," Carmichael said. "If somebody says, 'Hey, step up,' and you don't understand the language, that might take a little longer to process."

"It was very difficult at first," Tresfield said. "I couldn't understand my classes and I was lost, but it's getting better. I can understand more people now, but it was so hard at first."

Tresfield also had to adjust to being more than 4,000 miles away from home.

"Language was the biggest thing," Tresfield said. "But being far away from my family was hard at the beginning. I can talk to them on Skype though – I call my mom almost every day. And when I get bored, here there's nothing to do — I just watch Netflix or something. But when I get bored in France I can take the bus and see my friends and do some fun things, but here there is not a lot to do."

Despite the obstacles she's faced, Tresfield and her coaches have high hopes for her growth as a player.

"I think there's some games where she plays great, and we think we've turned corner," Carmichael said. "And then the next game maybe she's a little bit down, but when she gets a little more consistent game-to-game, she can make a very big impact for us."

"I just want to be in the starting group and score some goals," Tresfield said. "I already have two goals so if I can help the team win, then why not? I would love to score. After that, maybe join the French national team."

Now in her sophomore season at OSU, Tresfield has begun to settle into her new environment. She's played in all 15 games as both a midfielder and defender and has recorded two goals and an assist.

"This year, there's a noticeable difference," Carmichael said. "She's much more integrated with the team, she's much more comfortable with the team and I think she understands the language better."

"Stillwater is a lot different from Paris," Tresfield said. "But I'm getting used to it and I like it here."

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