Former Hawkeye Cloé Lacasse makes World Cup debut with Canada

Cloé Lacasse’s soccer resume is expanding rapidly this summer.

The latest highlight for the former University of Iowa star came Friday (Thursday night in Iowa) at Melbourne, Australia, when she made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in Canada’s opening 0-0 draw with Nigeria.

Lacasse subbed on to begin the second half and played on the right wing, recording a shot and five recoveries while completing 10 of 15 passes and two of four dribbles.

The Canadians have two key games remaining in Group B, what many consider to be this World Cup’s toughest group: Wednesday against Ireland (7 a.m. CT, FS1) and Monday, July 31 against Australia (5 a.m. CT, Fox). Australia beat Ireland 1-0 in the other opener.

Lacasse starting and/or finding the scoresheet in the tournament would add even more to this recent stretch of accomplishments.

July 9: Two days after turning 30, she was officially named to a major-tournament roster for the first time. (It was only November 2021, a few months after Canada won gold in the Olympics, when she made her national-team debut).

June 29: Signed with one of the most-renowned clubs in world soccer, Arsenal, a team that finished third in England’s Women’s Super League last season.

May 17: Named MVP of the Portuguese league, the end of a breakout run since joining Benfica in 2019 in which she scored 102 goals in 131 matches and helped the Lisbon club win three straight league championships.

Lacasse, from Sudbury, Ontario, was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree and was Iowa’s Offensive MVP all four seasons (2011-14). She ranks second in program history with 43 goals and 26 assists.

Lacasse started her professional career in 2015 with ÍBV in Iceland.

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com