CINCINNATI — After a University of Cincinnati women’s soccer player Ally Sidloski died in a boating accident this spring, her teammates wanted to make sure she was still with them during this season.
What You Need To Know
- Ally Sidloski and Vanessa DiNardo were best friends, playing on the same soccer team since they were just 7 years old
- After Sidloski passed away this spring in a boating accident, DiNardo wanted to honor her friend this season
- DiNardo decided to wear Sidloski’s number, No. 3, this fall for UC
- The UC women’s soccer team has also coined “Play for 3” as its new motto, knowing their playing for something more than themselves and the game
Vanessa DiNardo and Ally Sidloski were best of friends, playing on the same soccer team since they were just 7 years old.
“I didn’t know anybody, and she was the first one to come up to me and still to this day, we don’t know why, but we started doing the chicken dance and that stuck with us,” DiNardo said.
After Sidloski’s death this spring, DiNardo said she was at a loss, but after having a particularly difficult moment, she had an idea.
“It just clicked to me that I wanted to wear three,” she said. “I like the No. 3 and she’s my girl, so I just always want her with me.”
DiNardo said after getting Sidloski’s family’s blessing, she told her teammates and coaches about honoring their friend and teammate.
“I think it just exemplifies what their relationship was like,” Neil Stafford UC’s women’s soccer head coach said. “From young girls to adult women, what they’ve been through together and how Vanessa really wants to honor that legacy.”
DiNardo put the jersey on for the first time for media day but will play in their first regular season match on Thursday with her new number.
“As soon as I put it on and walked out to the locker room, I knew my purpose and my why for wearing it,” DiNardo said. “So I think then tomorrow as soon as I get that jersey on, that’s my why. I’m playing for her.”
She said she knows her best friend would be proud.
“I just know too, she’d be like, ‘Ness you’re doing too much,'” DiNardo said. “But Ally was such a special person. She was probably the most motivated. She always motivated me so that’s kind of why like she’s my motivation now.”
“It’s always about playing for a bigger cause, for something bigger than yourself,” Stafford said. “And that’s what Ally did all the time.”
DiNardo said when she pulls on that jersey for her first game without her best friend by her side in 13 years, she knows she’ll still be with her.
“I just think it’s special that (No. 3) is going to take the field again this year,” DiNardo said. “Even though it’s not on her, it’s going to be on me, so she’s still going to be with us.”
