"Originally that [life geek] label was given to [team-mate] Lucy Talbot," says Michelsen. "She was one of those super-organised people who always had everything there to help people. I think I'm more of a study geek but I guess it is not a bad label. We do tend to hassle each other a little bit and it's all right - it's not a label I would take an issue with."
Michelsen admits she is the type who tends to stress about study, always wondering if she has done enough. In a team with more than a few students, Michelsen is probably the most academically focused. It brought difficulty at last year's Champions Trophy, when she had to complete final exams at a Dutch university days before the tournament.
There will no such distractions over the next few weeks in Argentina and just as well, as the Black Sticks are shouldering a hefty weight of expectation after their bronze medal in Amsterdam.
"After what we did and the [New Zealand] men, there will be that expectation that we finish at least top four, which is a bit of added pressure," says Michelsen. "It is going to be just as hard, if not harder than last time but our expectations are high; we don't want to go to the tournament and think it is just going to happen for us. I would be really disappointed if we didn't make top four."
Michelsen will be a key figure. She can play a number of positions and is one of the first on coach Mark Hager's team sheet. She can be a prolific scorer from midfield and is one of the best at 'eliminations' - taking on an opponent in one-on-one situations. The Northland player is also known for her unorthodox inside out dribbling style, which can turn heads as well as defenders.
"She has quite an unusual style," says Forgesson, "and it certainly looks different to most people but seems to suit her".
"I have a different skill set to everyone and I am not really conventional in the way that I carry the ball," explains Michelsen. "I am a bit backwards and do the reverse to everyone else. I don't know where it came from but it is a habit now."
Michelsen weaves across the field with a fairly open stance, a contrast to most players who dribble more over the top of the ball. It is akin to a footballer who dribbles just with the outside of their foot instead of the preferred practice of using the instep or toe to caress the ball forward.
"I can surprise defenders but also the ball is a bit more open for them to take," says Michelsen. "At first Mark [Hager] was a bit wary of it - he thought I would leave it too open."
"When we first saw her, she was pretty raw, but her attacking flair always stood out," remembers Hager. "She has moved back [to midfield] but her speed and skill means she can play anywhere."
Michelsen started playing at the age of four and is one of the 'Kamo kids', a group of eight who played their early hockey at Kamo Intermediate. Since her debut three years ago, she has become a virtual ever-present in Hager's team. Michelsen still carries the nickname 'Pinky' thanks to a previous 'addiction' to a certain confectionary product but claims she now prefers Toblerone. She compares her role in the leadership group to a prefect at school, being the conduit between management and the players.
"I think I can still be one of the girls," laughs Michelsen. "It is a supportive team environment and everyone is comfortable with each other's company. Generally it feels like a group of friends hanging out."
