River’s Tarr will play pro soccer in Germany

Former University of Missouri soccer player Kat Tarr has accepted a contract offer from Tennis Borussia Berlin to play professionally in Germany this season, according to the Missouri athletics Web site www.mutigers.com.

The Columbia River High School graduate was a star defender for the Tigers from 2005-2008 before being drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2009 WPS draft and playing for the W-League’s Buffalo Flash last season.

The Web site reports:

“It’s a very promising opportunity,” Tarr said. “It’s always been my goal to play professionally, and playing at Mizzou was a big part of that because it truly prepared me for the challenge and helped get me to this point in my career.”

Tarr was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection in 2007 and was chosen to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team in 2008 for her role in the first league title in program history. She started all 23 games for Missouri as a senior, accumulating the most minutes of any field player, and anchored a defense that set school records in fewest goals allowed (19) and most shutouts in a season (12).

She is seventh all-time in career games played (82) and ninth all-time in career games started (75) in the Missouri record books, and tallied five goals and two assists over her four years as a letter-winner.

“We’re excited for Kat to carry on the tradition of Mizzou soccer at the next level,” Missouri coach Bryan Blitz said. “Anytime our program can help someone meet their academic and athletic aspirations, it is great news. Kat is another great example of that.”

Frauen-Bundesliga is the top level of women’s soccer in Germany and is in its 20th season since being established in 1990. TeBe is one of 12 teams in the first division, after earning promotion as second division champions in 2009 and currently sits in 11th place with 10 games to play before the season ends in May.

Tarr is expected join head coach Thomas Grunenberg’s squad this week, with her first opportunity for a league debut to come on Feb. 13 against FCR 2001 Duisburg.