Athlete of the Week: Vicky Mando, Regina Dominican soccer

Vicky Mando is a recent graduate who played goalkeeper for the Panthers soccer team. She was a major contributor to Regina’s sectional title-game appearance.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
When I was younger, when I was playing in grade school, I’ve always tapped the goalposts right before every game three times with my right foot. 

2. What are you doing next year?
Next year, I am going to be attending Lake Forest College and hopefully play soccer there. I’ve always gone to smaller schools my entire life, so I’m really excited and happy for the small community Lake Forest provides.

3. What is your favorite sports memory so far?
It would be from this past season. Our team this year was extremely close and we all built unbreakable friendships with each other and we were able to reach sectionals ending with an incredible game, which hasn’t happened with Regina since 2006. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?
I try to spend a lot of time with my family and friends. With my family, we always like to try new restaurants, and when I hang out with my friends we like to drive around, go to the beaches, go out to eat, just enjoy each other’s company. 

5. What is your dream job?
My dream job is to become a psychiatrist. Ever since I was younger I’ve wanted to help others in any way, so I hope to do that with my future career.

6. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy or Greece. I want to learn more about their culture and experience a different environment and food that they provide. 

7. Do you have a favorite athlete?
I don’t have one currently but when I was younger I really enjoyed watching football and I just saw myself clinging onto Clay Matthews from the Green Bay Packers. He just always stuck out to me with his aggression and stuff like that.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple dollars, what are you buying?
It would be Extra gum, the mega pack, because I always have to have the big pack, and some sort of hot chips, preferably the hot Funyuns, and some water.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?
Not many people know that I play the violin and occasionally the piano. I also have a raging sweet tooth.  

10. What was it like competing in this unusual, challenging year?
Honestly it was really tough because the season was so short compared from past years, especially with it being my last year as well. It was just really hard to have a different experience with masks and different regulations we had like water breaks because the weather has been extremely hot. This past season was the best because of my wonderful teammates and coaches.