Oklahoma State University Athletics
Holly Brehmer
Brehmer's Long Soccer Journey Paying Off
October 06, 2016 | Cowgirl Soccer
By Madysson Morris, OSU Athletics Communications
Holly Brehmer traveled nearly 4,000 miles to follow her dream.
And the journey from Eagle River, Alaska to Stillwater, Oklahoma, has given Brehmer the opportunity to live out her ambition as a key member of the Cowgirl soccer team.
Oklahoma State head coach Colin Carmichael says he tries to recruit the best players he can but the character of the girls is what's most important, and Brehmer exemplifies that both on and off the field.
"Holly came in as a walk-on, and we didn't know much about her," Carmichael said. "First thing we noticed was that she's a very hard worker and that she's physically strong so that gave her the chance to get out on the field early in her career."
Following in her older sisters' footsteps, Brehmer began playing soccer at the age of five and joined the Chugiak Soccer Club in second grade, where she remained as a competitor for the next 11 years.
During her time with Chugiak SC, Brehmer led her team to state titles in 2011 and 2012 and was named the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 upon graduating from Chugiak High School.
"I didn't really know where I wanted to go to college, but I knew I wanted to play soccer," Brehmer said. "I had a coach who knew another coach who knew Colin Carmichael and he said I should look at Oklahoma State so I ended up coming to soccer camp here, and I just loved it."
Brehmer made her collegiate debut for the Cowgirls as a freshman in 2014, playing 35 minutes against Arizona State and recording two shots on goal. She came off the bench for nine games her first season and bumped that number up to 15 as a sophomore. She recorded her first collegiate goal in the 2015 season opener against Mercer and was named an Academic All-Big 12 First Team performer.
As a forward, it is Brehmer's job to be the front line of the Cowgirls' attack and put the ball in the back of the net. Forwards are quick on their feet while on offense, and they must trust their teammates to get the ball back to them to score goals — more commonly known by the Cowgirls as "the Holly thing."
"Holly has a way of making an impact whenever she comes on the field," said OSU junior midfielder Tori Ruszkowski. "Every time she comes off the bench, Colin will say 'Do your Holly thing,' which basically means score in three minutes. She follows through and makes the most of situations, which is why I think she has the ability to be a leading scorer for us."
Already 13 games into the 2016 season, Brehmer has come off the bench in every game, picking up a goal and two assists along with five shots on goal.
There is no doubt that Brehmer has made a positive impact in Stillwater, not only as a part of Cowgirl soccer, but in the Oklahoma State community as well.
Carmichael calls Brehmer a well-rounded student-athlete and is impressed with how well she juggles the classroom while continuing to develop as a soccer player.
"Holly's never been an issue in soccer and is very disciplined," Carmichael said. "When you go to school and behave in the correct manner off the field, there tends to be a carryover onto the field when you get kids doing the right thing. That translates into success for our team, and Holly most definitely fits into that."
For someone who has spent the majority of the last three years over 3,800 miles from home, Brehmer has found comfort in Stillwater and considers her teammates and coaching staff to be her home away from home.
"This team is like my family, especially since I'm so far from home," Brehmer said. "The girls and the coaches are who I'm around constantly so they've really just become my family here in Stillwater."
Carmichael says through the determination and work ethic Brehmer continues to showcase, he sees her being able to compete for a starting position as a senior next season.
"Through Holly's hard work and dedication, she's gone from a kid who just got a few minutes here and there to being a contributing player," Carmichael said. "Hopefully her goal for moving into next season is to compete for a starting position. If she continues on that right path, she could be in line to possibly go from being a contributing player to a starting player."
Holly Brehmer traveled nearly 4,000 miles to follow her dream.
And the journey from Eagle River, Alaska to Stillwater, Oklahoma, has given Brehmer the opportunity to live out her ambition as a key member of the Cowgirl soccer team.
Oklahoma State head coach Colin Carmichael says he tries to recruit the best players he can but the character of the girls is what's most important, and Brehmer exemplifies that both on and off the field.
"Holly came in as a walk-on, and we didn't know much about her," Carmichael said. "First thing we noticed was that she's a very hard worker and that she's physically strong so that gave her the chance to get out on the field early in her career."
Following in her older sisters' footsteps, Brehmer began playing soccer at the age of five and joined the Chugiak Soccer Club in second grade, where she remained as a competitor for the next 11 years.
During her time with Chugiak SC, Brehmer led her team to state titles in 2011 and 2012 and was named the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 upon graduating from Chugiak High School.
"I didn't really know where I wanted to go to college, but I knew I wanted to play soccer," Brehmer said. "I had a coach who knew another coach who knew Colin Carmichael and he said I should look at Oklahoma State so I ended up coming to soccer camp here, and I just loved it."
Brehmer made her collegiate debut for the Cowgirls as a freshman in 2014, playing 35 minutes against Arizona State and recording two shots on goal. She came off the bench for nine games her first season and bumped that number up to 15 as a sophomore. She recorded her first collegiate goal in the 2015 season opener against Mercer and was named an Academic All-Big 12 First Team performer.
As a forward, it is Brehmer's job to be the front line of the Cowgirls' attack and put the ball in the back of the net. Forwards are quick on their feet while on offense, and they must trust their teammates to get the ball back to them to score goals — more commonly known by the Cowgirls as "the Holly thing."
"Holly has a way of making an impact whenever she comes on the field," said OSU junior midfielder Tori Ruszkowski. "Every time she comes off the bench, Colin will say 'Do your Holly thing,' which basically means score in three minutes. She follows through and makes the most of situations, which is why I think she has the ability to be a leading scorer for us."
Already 13 games into the 2016 season, Brehmer has come off the bench in every game, picking up a goal and two assists along with five shots on goal.
There is no doubt that Brehmer has made a positive impact in Stillwater, not only as a part of Cowgirl soccer, but in the Oklahoma State community as well.
Carmichael calls Brehmer a well-rounded student-athlete and is impressed with how well she juggles the classroom while continuing to develop as a soccer player.
"Holly's never been an issue in soccer and is very disciplined," Carmichael said. "When you go to school and behave in the correct manner off the field, there tends to be a carryover onto the field when you get kids doing the right thing. That translates into success for our team, and Holly most definitely fits into that."
For someone who has spent the majority of the last three years over 3,800 miles from home, Brehmer has found comfort in Stillwater and considers her teammates and coaching staff to be her home away from home.
"This team is like my family, especially since I'm so far from home," Brehmer said. "The girls and the coaches are who I'm around constantly so they've really just become my family here in Stillwater."
Carmichael says through the determination and work ethic Brehmer continues to showcase, he sees her being able to compete for a starting position as a senior next season.
"Through Holly's hard work and dedication, she's gone from a kid who just got a few minutes here and there to being a contributing player," Carmichael said. "Hopefully her goal for moving into next season is to compete for a starting position. If she continues on that right path, she could be in line to possibly go from being a contributing player to a starting player."
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Cowgirl Soccer
Midfielder
/ Cowgirl SoccerTuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
