Playing soccer in Iceland and hiking volcanoes

A unique opportunity, with some unique challenges.

"Most of the girls are from Iceland, which means they speak Icelandic," Lacasse said. "On the field, you have to be much more aware, since we cannot always communicate as effectively as we should be."

Lacasse continues to score goals, her calling card for years in the world of soccer. But between games, she is enjoying an experience that she could never have imagined.

"There are mountains everywhere you look," she said. "I also have the unique opportunity of living on an island off the coast of Iceland called Vestmannaeyjar. I got lucky, because when I got here, it was the peak time to see the Northern Lights."

That led to some "pretty incredible nights," she said. Vestmannaeyjar boasts two volcanoes (one of them active), one of which Lacasse was able to hike to the top of.


"I got to put my hands over it," she said. "That was both a cool and scary experience, getting to feel the heat radiate onto my hands, but also dealing with the fear of falling in."

Nothing is yet finalized beyond her Iceland adventure, but Lacasse is not overly concerned.

"I am going to be here for a little bit less than a year, which includes the pre-season phase that we are currently in," she explained. "The official season will be starting on May 16th. After the season is over, I will be returning home and deciding what happens next."

With any luck at all, another door will open.