Earning her very first invitation to train with the national women's soccer team this past April in Britain, Cloe Lacasse was understandably filled with pride.
The opportunity to showcase all that she has learned from professional soccer stints in both Iceland and now Portugal was clearly something that the graduate of Ecole Secondaire Macdonald-Cartier and two-time OFSAA champion had targetted for quite some time.
The next time around, she wanted more - and that's exactly what the talented 28 year-old goal scorer got, inserted into the lineup for a pair of friendlies versus Mexico at the end of November.
"When you come in as an attacking substitute, you have to demonstrate that you can add an immediate threat in the offense," said the highly decorated alumnus of the Iowa Hawkeyes NCAA Division I program.
"I think I was able to show them my unique abilities and attributes. Now that they had the chance to analyze me in a game situation, I will continue to work hard to receive more caps in the future."
Still, there was learning. Though her recent time with Benfica leaves Lacasse well prepared for the rigours of international play, there still is no substitute for experience itself.
"Of course, being these were my first two caps, there were some jitters and nerves," she noted. "Going forward, that will go away and I will be able to feel more comfortable on the pitch."
"Also, now that I was able to get a direct comparison during a game, I know I have the talent and abilities to compete on the international stage."
Identified, on a national team level, a little later than some might suggest she deserved to be, Lacasse has not necessarily enjoyed the benefits that come with simply have time spent in the company of the bulk of her Team Canada teammates, a gap that she is looking to close as quickly as possible.
"Many of the players on the Canadian team have played together for years," said Lacasse. "This means they have been able to build chemistry and relationships on the pitch. I am very new, so I think it will be important, in the future, to start building those dynamics and relationships on the field."
"Being able to know my teammates' strengths and weaknesses will only benefit the group and myself going forward with Team Canada."
Understandably, the next step for the former Sudbury Canadians star would be to earn a selection on either a World Cup or Olympic roster, or something of that ilk. Lacasse is ready, should the invitation come.
"I have been taking huge steps forward in the last two years since playing for Benfica," said Lacasse. "I think my club team is giving me the proper platform to succeed on the club scene and also on the international stage."
All of which makes for one very appreciative long-time Sudbury resident.
"This moment was definitely something I have strived for my entire career," Lacasse beamed, even over email. "Every professional athlete wants an opportunity to represent their country. I am proud to have earned that recognition and thankful to everyone who has been a part of the journey, and my career thus far."
The Sudbury soccer community now shares the emotions of the local girls' hockey network.
In much the same way that Tessa Bonhomme and Rebecca Johnston captivated local fans as teammates on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team in Vancouver, Lacasse and fellow Sudbury sensation Jenna Hellstrom shared field time together in the final third of the opening game against Mexico.
With five caps to her credit, Hellstrom also was part of the Canadian roster that competed at the most recent Women's World Cup in France in 2019.
