Barlow completed her college playing career this past spring at Saint Lawrence University, earning her bachelor's degree in studio art in May. In 32 games over three seasons, including a 2020 campaign abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draw specialist totaled 56 draw controls while adding nine goals and nine assists. A senior captain and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, Barlow was heavily involved in community service initiatives supporting Love Your Melon's Beanies for Nat, the Special Olympics, Harlem Lacrosse, National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and breast cancer and mental health outlets. She was also a member of the SLU Health and Fitness club, promoting healthy lifestyles on campus.

As a first-year, Barlow played lacrosse at Roanoke (Va.) College, where she was named rookie of the year by both the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) and Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). She also landed on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Chesapeake Region second team while netting 24 goals with 23 draw controls. Barlow helped the Maroons go 6-2 in the ODAC and earn a postseason berth.

A native of Gloucester, Mass., Barlow gained experience coaching high-school-aged players in her home state for three summers with 3d New England Club Lacrosse and through Bill Pilat's The Goalie School. Barlow is a long-time summer employee of YMCA Camp Nellie Huckins in New Hampshire, where she was a counselor for 8- to 14-year-olds for five years before becoming sports field director in 2019.