'It was absolutely electric': Alberta's Olympic goalkeeper returns home

Stephanie Labbé will never forget the roar of the crowd during her Olympic debut in Rio.

"It was absolutely electric," she said.

"Obviously, going in, we were hoping to play Brazil in the gold medal match. Unfortunately, that's not how things worked out. But to be able to play that game surrounded by 40,000 passionate, screaming Brazilians was absolutely incredible."

The goalkeeper for the Canadian women's soccer team returned home to Alberta on Tuesday, grinning as she clutched the bronze medal around her neck, with family, friends and a throng of reporters waiting inside a packed airport terminal.

The Spruce Grove native said beating the Brazilians in their own backyard wasn't easy.

"We know, from last summer playing in front of the Canadian crowd, we know how much that boosts you and gives you energy," said Labbé, 29.

"We knew Brazil, going into that game, would have that fire in them, that passion and just the excitement … so we knew going in we would have to match that."

Alberta's Olympic keeper returns home

8 years ago

Duration 1:09

Stephanie Labbé, goalkeeper for Canada's women's soccer team has returned home from Rio 

But after a cagey start to the match, Labbé and her teammates were able to gain control over their opponents in green, eventually defeating Brazil 2-1.

"We're ecstatic about it and we're so proud of ourselves for achieving it, but we also know there is more in there and it just lights a fire for us in the future."

Labbé was the third-string goalie at the 2012 London Olympics, when Canada also took home the bronze medal. But a retirement and an injury later, Labbé was named the starting keeper at Rio.

Despite her unexpected start, Labbé said she enjoyed the pressure.

"I absolutely love it," she said. "I love the excitement that comes with that, and I totally embrace and it and enjoy it. For me, it's all about staying present and just being in the moment.

"It's something I've been working for my entire life. And that was just an opportunity for me to step up and be able to the show the world what I can do."

Although Labbé admits she fell out of love with the game a few years ago, and stepped away from the Canadian team in 2012 for a much-needed break, she said her experience in Rio has reinvigorated her passion for the game, and the podium.

"Ever since coming back, I just found this new growth in myself and this whole new passion.

"And as long as I feel that I'm growing and developing every day, as long as I have this passion in my body, I'm going to keep pursuing it."