TicketsCINCINNATI - Over the weekend, former Bearcats women's soccer standout Vanessa Gilles added another impressive accomplishment to her growing resume as the University of Cincinnati graduate was selected to and played for L'équipe de France B (France women's 'B' team) in an international friendly against Belgium in Tubize, Belgium. The Canadian international, who has been playing professionally with Bordeaux in France's top division, earned her first call up from 'Les Bleus' and helped her side a 5-2 victory.
"It was such a great experience being in Clairefontaine, surrounded by all the culture and history of the French Federation," Gilles said following her debut. "The girls and the coaches were great. I learned a lot during camp and being able to put on my first jersey was an incredible feeling! I hope to get selected again by performing with Bordeaux."
Gilles was not selected to the Starting XI, but did make an appearance as a second half substitute, coming onto the pitch in the 55' to log 35 minutes of match time.
"The game was fast paced and at a different level than other games I've been in because of the level of my teammates, opponents and coaches, which was fun to experience and see," Gilles said. "I played the last 35 minutes. They started with their young players and, by halftime, had subbed in all their starting players."
Gilles receiving the call from France came as no surprise to Bearcats Head Coach Neil Stafford.
"I was very luck to have coached Vanessa and I truly mean that," Stafford said. "I can't begin to say how proud she is making all of us at Cincinnati, and not just because she is representing France, but because of how she had gone about getting to that point in her career. It is the person that makes the player, not the other way around, and Vanessa is so driven and unwavering in everything she does. Her mentality to compete is at an elite level, but her ability to manifest her reality leaves me in awe. She is a great example and role model to all of us in our Culture of Excellence and, even at the international level, I still feel she will continue to be one of the most impactful players on the pitch."
While Gilles was selected to compete for France, her international allegiance has not been locked in, however, as the match with Belgium was not with the full national team. What this means is Gilles still has the ability to play for the full French national team in the future while remaining available to represent her native Canada.
"Yes, I can still play for Canada," Gilles told France's GoldFM after her selection was announced last week. "It's not an official match; I still have the choice. But, I cannot choose between the two countries; I cannot give my answer now. There are many factors... France takes a step towards me, it's an honor. It means a lot they chose me."
"It was such a great experience being in Clairefontaine, surrounded by all the culture and history of the French Federation," Gilles said following her debut. "The girls and the coaches were great. I learned a lot during camp and being able to put on my first jersey was an incredible feeling! I hope to get selected again by performing with Bordeaux."
Gilles was not selected to the Starting XI, but did make an appearance as a second half substitute, coming onto the pitch in the 55' to log 35 minutes of match time.
"The game was fast paced and at a different level than other games I've been in because of the level of my teammates, opponents and coaches, which was fun to experience and see," Gilles said. "I played the last 35 minutes. They started with their young players and, by halftime, had subbed in all their starting players."
Gilles receiving the call from France came as no surprise to Bearcats Head Coach Neil Stafford.
"I was very luck to have coached Vanessa and I truly mean that," Stafford said. "I can't begin to say how proud she is making all of us at Cincinnati, and not just because she is representing France, but because of how she had gone about getting to that point in her career. It is the person that makes the player, not the other way around, and Vanessa is so driven and unwavering in everything she does. Her mentality to compete is at an elite level, but her ability to manifest her reality leaves me in awe. She is a great example and role model to all of us in our Culture of Excellence and, even at the international level, I still feel she will continue to be one of the most impactful players on the pitch."
While Gilles was selected to compete for France, her international allegiance has not been locked in, however, as the match with Belgium was not with the full national team. What this means is Gilles still has the ability to play for the full French national team in the future while remaining available to represent her native Canada.
"Yes, I can still play for Canada," Gilles told France's GoldFM after her selection was announced last week. "It's not an official match; I still have the choice. But, I cannot choose between the two countries; I cannot give my answer now. There are many factors... France takes a step towards me, it's an honor. It means a lot they chose me."