Becky Barry knew she wanted to coach after graduating from the University of Arizona in 2010, but the former Salpointe Catholic girls soccer player never imagined she’d be back at her old high school.
“At least not this soon,” Barry said, ”but I’m glad that I am.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Barry, now 27, was a Salpointe freshman entering a successful program. The Lancers upperclassmen looked up to U.S. national team star Mia Hamm and others.
“You wanted to be them as a 12-, 13-, 14-year-old,” Barry added. “It was a privilege and honor to go here and play for the school and play all four years.”
Now in her second season at the helm, Barry has brought back that sort of respect to the program. With some consistency, she also hopes to bring back a state championship.
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The Lancers entered Thursday night’s regular-season finale as the No. 1 team in Division II, putting them in position to win their first state crown since 1999.
“Everyone would like to win a state title, but our goal is to see through that we play well and are focused,” Barry said. “We need to continue to hold ourselves to a standard no matter who we’re playing.”
Here are three things to know about Barry as her squad gets set for a possible postseason run, beginning next week:
Meet the new boss
In her first season, Barry made the team more organized and fitness-oriented. She also set out to hold each player accountable. The result: 36 wins over Salpointe’s last 43 matches.
“I felt I needed to be pretty strict and harsh to really make my voice known and knew they know where I was coming from,” Barry said.
Senior center back Hope Seasholes said the Lancers responded well to Barry, who was an assistant before taking over.
“I think everyone respects her, and that’s one of the biggest things about a coach,” Seasholes said. “She makes her point, and she’s loud and it’s good. We just listen.”
Been there, done that
Barry doesn’t hold any program records from her four seasons (2002-06) at center back for the Lancers. But she carries countless memories with her more than a decade later.
“There are so many aspects of it that are exactly the same,” Barry said. “There are moments when I have to pinch myself to remind myself that I’m on the other side.”
Barry played at the UA for four seasons. Since the Lancers see her not only as a coaching figure but a former college soccer player, she has been more relatable.
“She’s done everything and you know where she is coming from when she gives you advice,” Seasholes said. “If she tells you to do something or tells you to work harder, it motivates you to do better.”
All 25, all in
Barry isn’t sure where she picked up her coaching philosophy, but she has stayed true to her convictions. She wants all 25 players to enjoy the experience of high school soccer — and expects one of the 25 to step up any given day.
“I’ve stuck to that,” Barry said. “I think there is a mutual respect the girls have for one another. No one is better than the team.”
Barry, a former captain for both Salpointe and UA, has helped with the development of the Lancers both on the field and off. Seasholes says the team is more vocal with Barry on the sidelines.
“I definitely have come out of my shell,” said Seasholes, a team captain. “She’s helped me talk a lot more, before I was really quiet.
“She’s helped me with the leadership role on the team.”
