Trading the youth academy of FC Twente for college soccer at Arizona State University, only to return to FC Twente better and more successful than ever—this is the story of Slamstox Student-Athlete Lieske Carleer.
At the beginning of May, Lieske Carleer and her club FC Twente clinched the championship in the Dutch Azerion Women’s Eredivisie. At the end of May, she won the Eredivisie Cup by scoring the winning goal against PSV in injury time, specifically in the 94th minute! The 23-year-old defender left for Arizona State University in 2019 via Slamstox, where she played until recent years. Back in the Netherlands, she signed her first professional contract with FC Twente this past January, which runs until 2025.
When Lieske started the process with Slamstox, she was already active for FC Twente, playing for the club’s various youth teams. Additionally, she made fifteen appearances for the Netherlands U17 and U19 national teams. She saw America as an opportunity to develop herself optimally both academically and athletically.
Ultimately, Lieske departed for Arizona State, also known as the Sun Devils. Over the course of 4.5 years, she developed into an outstanding player. It’s no surprise that in America, the leading country for women’s soccer, she is described as one of the best ball-playing central defenders. It’s impressive that the Dutch player started in the lineup in 63 out of 64 matches.
Lieske not only excelled on the soccer field, but during her time in America, she also received academic awards three times (2020, 2021, and 2022), earning a place on the Pac-12’s Fall Academic Honor Roll.
During her college years, Lieske also visited our office to share her experiences. Check out the interview here.
Now back in the Netherlands, she holds a bachelor’s degree, has undergone significant growth as a soccer player, and has gained many new experiences from her time in America. In no time, she signed a contract with FC Twente, and now, in her first season, she has become a champion of the Azerion Women’s Eredivisie with her club FC Twente. A continuous contract with a top club in the Netherlands, a valuable diploma, and a backpack full of experiences. What more could you want as a student-athlete?
Lieske’s success story is truly inspiring, but every story has its own unique successes. Each adventure positively influences both your academic and athletic goals. The opportunities that college (soccer) offers when you return to the Netherlands with a degree, experience, and athletic development are indescribable. If this sounds like a dream come true for you, take a look at our website or fill out this introductory form, and we will gladly contact you to explore your possibilities.
