On the World Stage: Cloe Lacasse Shines with Team Canada

Photo Courtesy of Utah Royals

Trailing by one in its opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Canadian women’s soccer team needed a spark. Former University of Iowa women’s soccer standout Cloe Lacasse (14BA) rose to the challenge.

“Getting the chance to score that first goal was a pretty spectacular moment,” says Lacasse, who grew up in Ontario, Canada. “It was great to get one in early so you can break that ice and get the momentum going forward.”

Canada went on to defeat New Zealand, 2-1, and finished seventh in the Olympics. Lacasse returned to her professional soccer career in the U.S., ready to continue achieving soccer success.

A Family Love for the Game

Lacasse began playing soccer when she was 3 years old, wanting to do what her brother Luc did. “Being a younger sibling, I wanted to follow my brother around and hang out with his friends,” she says.

“I grew up in pretty humble beginnings... I’ve been able to put that sheer determination into my soccer career.” —Cloe Lacasse

That meant playing soccer—and finding her passion.

“For me, the Olympics was always a dream because it was the first time I saw women’s soccer players on television,” says Lacasse. “It’s how I got my first spark of passion for the game. Competing in the Olympics was a full circle moment where I had a chance to do what I had first seen on television. It was really special.”

Lacasse’s journey from playing soccer as a youngster in Canada to playing for Iowa wasn’t clear-cut.

“I knew I wanted go to the United States and play for a big university, but I didn’t quite understand all of the concepts of the conferences,” Lacasse says. “Once I learned more, I definitely wanted to represent a Big Ten team.”

An Iowa Soccer Success

A Hawkeye from 2011–2014, Lacasse was a soccer superstar. Iowa’s top point scorer all four seasons, she was a two-time first team All-Big Ten honoree and finished her Iowa career ranking first in shots (306), tied for first in points (112), and second in goals (43). It’s no surprise Lacasse was named Iowa’s offensive most valuable player all four seasons. The soccer star credits Iowa for making her a better soccer player.

“I had the soccer component down, and I knew how to do all these things on the pitch,” says Lacasse. “But what I didn’t understand was nutrition and strength and conditioning work and what they would give me on the soccer field. At Iowa, they gave me the tools to become a higher-level athlete.”

Lacasse has racked up impressive honors since her time at Iowa. In professional women’s soccer, Lacasse won the League Cup and the Icelandic Cup with Icelandic team IBV, two Portuguese League Cups and three Super Cups with Portuguese club Benfica, and FA League Cup with English soccer club Arsenal.

“I grew up in pretty humble beginnings,” says Lacasse. “My parents worked very hard for everything they received and everything they gave us; I’ve been able to put that sheer determination into my soccer career.”

In August 2024, Lacasse transferred to the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League. She still looks back fondly on her time at Iowa.

“Iowa has the four seasons, which I love,” says Lacasse. “Iowa City had everything I wanted and everyone made me feel at home right away.”