Moving Through

Aug. 28, 2015

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - Ally Barys never stops moving.

The senior midfielder is constantly in motion, whether it’s between the lines of a soccer field or on the way to the

classroom where she maintains a 4.0 GPA.

The moving started early.

A job in medicine kept her dad and her family in a transient state for most of Barys’ life. Barys lived in four

different states before landing in California for 10 years.

Barys came to Georgia College when Head Coach Hope Clark contacted her after a showcase tournament in Las

Vegas.

“I came to see Georgia College, and Coach Hope came and gave me a tour, and it was just so welcoming,”

Barys said. “I loved the whole atmosphere of it. It was academically competitive, but it would still challenge me

athletically.”

Since Barys left California for Georgia College, her family has relocated again, this time to Minnesota. But, Barys

has found a home in Milledgeville and as a steadfast presence in the Bobcat midfield.

Moving is never easy, but Barys believes the changes had their benefits.

“I think [the moving has] helped the social aspect of my life, but it’s also helped me become a better leader and

helped me deal with all different kinds of people,” Barys said.

As one of only three seniors on the Bobcat squad, Barys, who has started over 40 games for Georgia College, will

be, ironically, the Bobcat with the most tenure.

Barys will take on an immense leadership role during a transitional period for a Bobcat soccer program that

welcomes 11 new members to the squad and is in the midst of a complete tactical overhaul.

A formation change and an influx of new players means that there will be growing pains for the Bobcats as they

learn a new a system and build the chemistry that creates the telepathic connections on a field that make a team

great.

Barys, of course, is confident that change is a good thing.

“I think that we have an excellent team,” Barys said. “We had 11 new players come in, and that’s making up half

of our team. It’s definitely created a competitive atmosphere. I’m excited to see where this goes.”

On the field, Barys constantly fights to regain possession and works on the offensive side to facilitate the Bobcat

attack.

This season is a final chance for Barys to make a mark on a program that has grown to rely on her steady

presence in the midfield.

“It’s my senior year and I want to enjoy my time on the field because after this season, I’m done,” she said. “You

don’t want to have any regrets when you step off the field.”

After the season, Barys, a pre-therapy exercise science major, plans to pursue further education with an eye

towards being involved in physical therapy. Barys, who claims to have never spent an all-nighter even with her

busy schedule, keeps a 4.0 GPA and was named to the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic team the last two

years.

She said that her dream school is the University of Florida, but she may end up in Minnesota close to her family.

Wherever she lands, Barys will keep moving forward.