Athletic Communications intern Maggie Franks sat down with senior standout goalie Emigdio Tormo Lopez

What made you start playing soccer?
    When I was young, all the people around me, like my friends and cousins, loved watching and playing soccer. I don't even know what made me start playing soccer because I have a picture of myself at 2 years old with a soccer ball at my feet. 
    
What made you truly fall in love with/stick with soccer?
    That was during school because everyone around me was playing soccer. Playing soccer and experiencing the feelings of winning, competing, and being with my friends outside of school really made me fall in love with it. 

What made you play goalie?
    I always played striker, but my older cousin, who also played striker, always wanted me to play goalie for him. When I joined a club at around 9 years old, they needed a keeper and I just wanted to be on the team, so I said, "Okay, I'll be the keeper."

Who is your biggest inspiration overall or biggest inspiration within soccer?
    Overall, it's my parents, watching the effort they put in for me to be where I am right now. My dad was a pilot, so he wasn't at many practices. My mom took me to all of them, even when she was pregnant with my little brothers. Seeing my parents at all my games was always so meaningful to me. In soccer, I grew up watching the Spain national team win trophies, so Casillas and I share many similar qualities. 
    
If you could relive one moment in your soccer career over again, what would it be and why?
    In Spain, during Covid, I was playing for the under-19 team. We were playing Atletico Madrid right before Christmas, and it was outside with lots of people in the stands. We tied, and it just felt really good. In the US, my second game with UMBC against Cornell was my favorite. I was in goal, and we won, and it showed me that this was something I could really do.     
    
What went into your decision to come to UMBC?
    I knew I wanted to play at the next level. I made a lot of good friends at my other school, and I don't regret it, but I knew I wanted to play at a higher level. The facilities here are great, and I wanted to grow academically and athletically. 

What is the hardest part about balancing a sport and school?
    So for me, the hardest is when we are in season. Sometimes we have exams and homework, but when you have a game, you have to deal with it. Sending lots of emails to professors and making sure you get everything done, even when you have away games.

What has it been like moving to a new country for college?
    I knew I wanted to do it since my second-to-last year of high school. It was hard to keep playing in Spain because I couldn't advance to the next level. I wanted to come here cause the facilities are better, and academics and athletics work better together. The hardest part is leaving my family and friends. Especially my grandparents, because they're getting older, and you know you're not getting that time back. 

What are your plans after college?    
    After college, I would love to keep playing, but if that doesn't happen, I would like to stay here, work for about 4-5 years, and then go back to Spain. Right now, my primary interest is the Investment part of finance and banking. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?
    When someone says, "Oh, you're short, but you're still a great keeper." That is the most significant accomplishment, knowing how to deal with the height while still being successful.