Though she is moving on from Daviess County High School, Bobbi Sandifer will be staying local after signing to continue her soccer career at Brescia University.
Bobbi wrapped up her season under head coach David Sandifer, her father, and she said he made a big impact on her during her signing speech Wednesday afternoon at the high school.
“Growing up, I spent all my time with him at the soccer field, and it really shaped me into the person that I am today,” she said. “I couldn’t thank him for it more.”
David said most people probably think as a father/coach, he pushed Bobbi to play collegiate soccer, but he said the decision was all hers.
“We’re really proud of her,” David said. “She visited a few schools and decided that she liked Brescia the best. We’re happy for her and hope she has a successful career and goes on to enjoy her college experience.”
During her four years as a Lady Panther, Bobbi was part of teams that won a pair of 9th District championships. They also went to the final four of the state championship in 2017, an accomplishment she said ranks at the top of her favorite memories.
“Playing in the final four with my friends in 2017, with our boys going beside us, that was the absolute best experience ever,” she said. “Having so many people supporting us was crazy.”
Bobbi also finished in the top 50 for career goals and top 25 in career assists, but David said her biggest contributions aren’t shown in a stat line.
“Tactically, she’s a very good player,” he said. “Her soccer intelligence is very high. She’s a pretty good technical player, but with Bobbi a lot of it is the intangibles — the attitude, the work rate, the toughness — are the ways she contributed to our team most years.”
Bobbi said she chose the Lady Bearcats because her connection to the program was strong.
“When I went on campus, I knew it was the place for me,” she said. “My uncle has been coaching there for a few years, so I already knew about the program. I knew I wanted to play at that field. I love the girls on the team that I know, so I thought that was the place for me.”
Bobbi said she knows there will be a learning curve, but thinks she will handle it well.
“Playing at a higher level will be a big adjustment,” she said. “I’m used to playing at a fast pace, so hopefully it won’t be that hard. I’m excited for next year.”
David said his daughter is somebody the team could rely on to do the stuff that was necessary to win.
“That’s what is going to get her through in college, too,” he said, “is basically the mental and physical toughness to get out there and do it day in and day out.”
