she grew up in rockton, illinois where she was a standout on both the soccer and football field playing for hononegah community high school. her play on the soccer field attracted a scholarship offer from rockford college. she was twice named all-northern illinois-iowa conference as a soccer player. her junior year, she transferred to benedictine university where she earned all-niia conference twice more and lead the team in assist her senior season. harshbarger has typically played professionally for indoor football teams based in the chicago area.