Northview makes soccer semis

Northview girls soccer coach Jen Barr knew she had to make some changes after a disappointing 2011 season. The Titans finished 9-10 last season and Barr made some off-season adjustments to help the girls bounce back. The adjustments seem to be working; the girls team finished the regular season with a 12-6-1 record and is playing for a shot in the state championship tonight. Barr said scheduling a team camp last summer is one of the reasons for this year’s success.

“It began last summer when we went to the UGA camp,” said Barr. “It gave us an opportunity to get an early jump on everybody, build camaraderie and gel as a team. That led into our preseason workouts in October and you could just tell everybody, especially our seniors, wanted it real bad this year. Our team goal, from early on, was to make the championship and win it all.”

If last season’s disappointing finish isn’t enough to motivate the team, Barr and a few seniors are still trying to redeem themselves from a state championship loss in 2010. This year’s team has four seniors from the 2010 squad and Barr says they want a state championship more than ever.

“They’re so fired up, so mature, so hungry for a ring,” said Barr. “With all the distractions going on at the end of the year with graduation, exams, prom and spring break, I’ve constantly tried to keep them focused, but they do such a good job of staying focused on their own because they want it so bad.”

Northview plays Harrison (14-4-1) tonight at Harrison. If the Titans win, they will take on the winner of the Milton/Collins Hill game for the state championship on Saturday.