SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis goalie Allie Carmickle will sign to play for and attend school at UC Davis on National Letter-of-Intent Signing Day on Wednesday.

“I can’t even describe it,” said Carmickle of her anticipation for signing day. “I don’t think I have comprehended it enough and the realization that in less than a year I will be off playing Division I soccer at UC Davis. I can’t wait for it and it is going to be a memorable moment. I think I will remember it for the rest of life.”

Carmickle was first recruited to UC Davis at Summer Surf Cup while playing for her club, Placer United. After two visits to campus and a chance to interact with her future teammates, Carmickle was sold on the UC Davis program, school and Head Coach Twila Kaufman.

“Twila is absolutely amazing,” said Carmickle of her future coach. “She is so sweet and has a great plan and future setup for UC Davis. She is trying to build up the program even better than it was before. I really like where she is going with the program. Robin (Grossman) is the assistant and goalkeeper coach. He is a really great coach from what I have heard from the former players. We have talked about how he likes to do his trainings and what he wants for the future.”

Carmickle will be the third former Troubadour on the Aggies roster, joining St. Francis graduates Haley Hughes ‘12 and Andrea Damian ’13. She said the connection was beneficial during her recruitment process.

“We talked about the transition and what it is like going from St. Francis to Davis,” said Carmickle of talking to Damian. “It was really fun to meet her and see what a Troubadour looks like after St. Francis.”

She also credits her Placer United club for helping her development and recruitment.

 “I love the team,” said Carmickle. “They are great and like my sisters. Ron Benjamin is absolutely wonderful and fantastic. He has been very helpful with the whole college process and committing.”

While the close proximity of the UC Davis campus is nice, it was not a requirement in Carmickle’s choice.

“It worked out that way,” said Carmickle. “Location was not my biggest deal and academics came first always. They have a great plan ahead of them and it is a great team and program. It just so happens that it was in the hometown.  It makes it that much better.”

Carmickle plans to study biomedical engineering with a goal of working in prosthetics for veterans. It is an academic path inspired by the military background in her family.

“Both my grandparents on my dad’s side are Marines,” explains Carmickle. “Papa Jim has always inspired me and has always been my hero. My mom used to be a PT. It developed from there.”

Carmickle, who is from Shingle Springs, is looking forward to her senior season with the Troubadours. She shared time in goal last season as a junior, allowing just five goals in 12 games of action (355 minutes). She sealed the section championship, playing the second half in goal in the win over Oak Ridge.

“It was incredible,” said Carmickle of the section title. “We had played Oak Ridge a couple times before and we really wanted it. You could feel the determination on the field, the sisterhood and the team work. Playing the second half, you take on that responsibility and making sure nothing else goes in. I believe we were one up but it was the extra pressure. But for me, it makes it more fun. It is a big challenge and you can step up to the plate.”

She is looking forward to playing under interim head coach Maryclaire Robinson.

“First off, it is fun. Soccer has got to be fun. I hope that all the girls form that friendly bond and form that sisterhood out on the field. We always want a have a good team and to win but to have fun and to be sisters on the field is most important. I think Maryclaire will do great this year. She has a good plan with what we are heading into with the new league.”