Per GoBearcats:
There was no better place to be Friday morning in the Queen City than the Richard E. Lindner Center.
The UC soccer team joined together with administration for a classroom watch party, supporting former Bearcat great Vanessa Gilles as she and Team Canada outlasted Sweden for the gold medal after a sixth shootout penalty kick.
Gilles became the fifth Bearcat to earn a gold medal, joining swimmers Mary Wineberg (2008) and Jennifer Kamp (1972), as well as George Wilson (1964) and Oscar Robertson (1960) from the men’s basketball program. Former volleyball standout Jordan Thompson and Team USA will play Brazil for the gold on Sunday at 12:30 a.m. ET.
“What an unbelievable job Vanessa’s done on such a huge stage,” head coach Neil Stafford said. “I hope she gets everything she deserves from her performances in the way she’s played and made others better. She’s evolved by leaps and bounds, and we’re so proud of her.”
Gilles did not appear in Canada’s first two matches but has started every one since. Not only that, she has excelled every step of the way, earning effusive praise from the soccer community for her play and leadership. She also converted the fifth and winning penalty kick against Brazil that put Canada in the semifinals.
Stafford also took advantage of the opportunity to coach during intermission, inquiring within his team on Canada and Sweden’s strategies. The intensity continued to mount exponentially into the extra time and shootout.
“I think this gives [our team] the ability to dream, but you can’t do that and not put any action behind it,” Stafford said. “That’s what Vanessa does: she dreams. But her actions behind it are second-to-none. Her lifestyle and development is all conducive to her being the player she is today, and that’s what separates her. She’s not afraid and a great example for our players.
“We have some on our current team that have all the tactical and technical attributes she has, but their challenge is do they have the drive, confidence and willingness to fail. Vanessa has failed some in her career, but she’s learned from it. She’s evolved to be an unbelievable soccer player and even better human being.”
Gilles lettered from 2014-17 and earned the AAC’s Defensive Player of the Year honor as a senior. She also helped the Bearcats to the 2015 AAC title.
UC opens its season at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a home exhibition against Bowling Green.
