UC Bearcats women's soccer player honors late sister with game-winning goal in tribute

In May of 2021, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats women's soccer program lost Allyson "Ally" Sidloski in an unfortunate accident at Clermont County's William H. Harsha Lake. While boating with friends she was overtaken by carbon monoxide fumes from the exhaust and fell into the water unconscious and drowned.

The coroner's report the following month listed carbon monoxide intoxication as a contributing cause of the Strongsville, Ohio native's death.

The carbon monoxide level in Ally's lungs was 34% and she had been sitting in the back of the boat most of the day. At age 21, the four-year letter-winner was gone.

Parents Tracie and David Sidloski went on to appear on NBC's "The Today Show" in September to warn of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and talk about the accident. They went on to create "We Play for 3" to increase awareness of the need for boater education and the dangers of carbon monoxide. Ally Sidloski wore No. 3.

That led to UC's women's soccer hosting a "Play for 3"game with the latest being Sunday at Gettler Stadium.

With the score at 1-1, it was Ally's sister, Coley, who delivered the game-winning goal as the UC women notched their first Big 12 win of the season against Kansas State.

"That was surreal. I had tears in my eyes as soon as that went into the back of the net.", Sidloski said.

After the game, the Sidloski family presented their memorial scholarship to junior Maddie Swingle for embodying the true qualities of "Playing for 3". Along with this presentation, the 150 UC student-athletes who were awarded the "Bearcat Strong" award were honored during halftime.

Coley Sidloski is one of three girls in her family who have played college soccer. She also sports her sister's No. 3 and made sure the third goal of Sunday's contest was one for the ages.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats women's soccer player honors late sister with game-winning goal in tribute