TicketsCINCINNATI – With four conference games left in the season we decided to check in with junior defender Tori Accardo to get insight on her background, future plans and also how the team is preparing down the final stretch of the season.
Accardo is a native of Voorhees, N.J. and was named to the AAC's All-Academic team for the 2020-2021 season. She is majoring in marketing while also minoring in fashion design studies.
Accardo will experience a homecoming when the Bearcats travel to Philadelphia to take on Temple, Saturday at 12 p.m. She says she expects to have 25-plus friends and family in attendance.
First, how are you and the team feeling going into the last four games of conference play?
"I think that we have improved a lot throughout the duration of the season. We put together a good 45 minutes against (10th-ranked) Florida. If we figure out the little 15-minute period where opposing teams go on runs and tighten up there, then we are in good shape to make the tournament and compete."
What have you learned so far this season from the games that you have played? Anything you guys have improved or need to improve?
"I think defensively, specifically, we have learned a lot about each other in game aspects. Not all of us had experience playing on the field together and we have grown so much in that aspect."
What do you think you and the team have to do game plan wise to get into the conference tournament?
"We must go to practice every day with full attention on our game plans and execution. It is also big defensively that we scout well and offensively that they scout well to prepare each other for the competition that we are facing every week."
What do you like most about the team this year overall?
"Our camaraderie this year has been great. Normally it is impossible to have 30 best friends, especially with girls, but we are really close this year. It is so fun to be out there every day with each other."
Any memorable or favorite moments that come to mind from this season so far?
"I would say our win against Central Michigan (March 18). It was a win that we really needed to pull out for our morale. With it being a one-goal game, it was an exciting one. I think it helped us gain a lot of momentum. A lot of people stepped up and it was cool to see."
Is there a specific New Jersey connection that has been built by the program and head coach Gina Thomas?
"Dani Mlkvy and I played soccer together since we were eight years old. So, we have known each other for our whole athletic careers. We also went to high school together. We played club together, got recruited together and came on our first visits together. Having her with me definitely helped the transition to UC."
What are your career plans?
"I am majoring in marketing and minoring in fashion design studies. So, realistically I want to move to New York. I am a city girl, so I always wanted to be in New York at some point. Merchandising or buying would be two specific elements. I want the business side; I don't want to do textile stuff, but I would take anything at this point."
Accardo is a native of Voorhees, N.J. and was named to the AAC's All-Academic team for the 2020-2021 season. She is majoring in marketing while also minoring in fashion design studies.
Accardo will experience a homecoming when the Bearcats travel to Philadelphia to take on Temple, Saturday at 12 p.m. She says she expects to have 25-plus friends and family in attendance.
First, how are you and the team feeling going into the last four games of conference play?
"I think that we have improved a lot throughout the duration of the season. We put together a good 45 minutes against (10th-ranked) Florida. If we figure out the little 15-minute period where opposing teams go on runs and tighten up there, then we are in good shape to make the tournament and compete."
What have you learned so far this season from the games that you have played? Anything you guys have improved or need to improve?
"I think defensively, specifically, we have learned a lot about each other in game aspects. Not all of us had experience playing on the field together and we have grown so much in that aspect."
What do you think you and the team have to do game plan wise to get into the conference tournament?
"We must go to practice every day with full attention on our game plans and execution. It is also big defensively that we scout well and offensively that they scout well to prepare each other for the competition that we are facing every week."
What do you like most about the team this year overall?
"Our camaraderie this year has been great. Normally it is impossible to have 30 best friends, especially with girls, but we are really close this year. It is so fun to be out there every day with each other."
Any memorable or favorite moments that come to mind from this season so far?
"I would say our win against Central Michigan (March 18). It was a win that we really needed to pull out for our morale. With it being a one-goal game, it was an exciting one. I think it helped us gain a lot of momentum. A lot of people stepped up and it was cool to see."
Is there a specific New Jersey connection that has been built by the program and head coach Gina Thomas?
"Dani Mlkvy and I played soccer together since we were eight years old. So, we have known each other for our whole athletic careers. We also went to high school together. We played club together, got recruited together and came on our first visits together. Having her with me definitely helped the transition to UC."
What are your career plans?
"I am majoring in marketing and minoring in fashion design studies. So, realistically I want to move to New York. I am a city girl, so I always wanted to be in New York at some point. Merchandising or buying would be two specific elements. I want the business side; I don't want to do textile stuff, but I would take anything at this point."