If it wasn't for her older sister, Nikki Jones may have never put a pair of shin guards on.

When Jones was 7, she went to one of her sister's soccer games and the team was in need of an extra player.

"They asked me to play and I scored a goal," Jones said. "I loved having people cheer for me. Ever since then I've played forward so I could score goals."

Scoring goals is exactly what the sophomore forward has done since she arrived in Tucson. Jones recorded her second collegiate hat trick last Saturday in Arizona's 6-2 win over Gonzaga. Her first hat trick came last year in a 4-2 win over Cal State-Sacramento. Jones has taken 20 shots and converted four goals this season.

Although Jones started a bit slower than she would have liked - she didn't score until the team's ninth game - she said she feels more confident after last week's trip to Oregon.

"It took me awhile to get my head straight," Jones said. "It always helps to start getting your rhythm together and start rolling and I did not get that together until recently."

UA coach Lisa Fraser said Jones is a player with an upbeat attitude who works hard in everything she does.

"Nikki's attitude is unbelievable and her work ethic is great both in the classroom, in the weight room and on the field," she said.

Jones, who is from Canby, Ore., said she chose Arizona because she liked the idea of building a new program and getting a lot of playing time.

"I had a good time on my recruiting trip and as soon as I got here I knew that this was the place for me," Jones said. "The whole package here at Arizona sold me."

Jones said she likes how the Tucson community supports the university.

"When I was on my recruiting trip the players told me that they get interviewed on television and little kids come and ask them for their autograph," Jones said. "You feel like a big celebrity when really you are just a college athlete."

Jones said she has taken on more of a leadership role this season and has helped the new players transition into the collegiate level of play.

"I have a little more say and my opinion matters a little bit more than last year, but I am still an underclassman and I have some time to put in before I earn my respect," she said.

Senior co-captain Jennifer Rickard said Jones will be a major contributor to the team in upcoming seasons.

"Every year Nikki is going to get stronger and that is going to be of more asset to the team," Rickard said. "Pretty soon she is going to be a veteran and people are going to look to her to be the one to get that key goal. I think she can definitely live up to that when given the opportunity."

Jones, a business and marketing major, would like to get a job in a college athletic department or possibly work in the marketing department for a sports company, such as Nike.

Jones said she would like to keep playing soccer long after her career at Arizona is through.

"I think I will be playing on women's leagues until I am 70 years old," Jones said. "I will probably be as competitive when I am out there playing with all the old ladies, having fun and still slide tackling."

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