Nikki Jones leaves behind stellar record

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior forward Nikki Jones (4) dribbles the ball downfield against Washington State Oct. 25. Jones holds UA records for games started, shots, goals, assists and total points. Jones and Veronica Ramirez, the team's only seniors, will play their last games in UA jerseys against UCLA Friday and USC Saturday.

"There's going to be a gap up front," said UA women's soccer head coach Lisa Fraser of Jones' retirement. "Nikki has an ability to work so hard, who will fill that role for us?"

Whoever does step up to that leadership role has some pretty tough cleats to fit into. Jones may be ending her career this weekend, as the Wildcats take on UCLA and Southern Cal at home, but her name is inscribed throughout the record book of UA soccer history.

Jones has played in 69 Wildcat games, more than any other UA player. She has started in all but three of those games, taking the title of the school's all-time leader for games started. She also leads in the areas of shots (165), goals (25) and total points (64).

"Nikki has an extremely high work rate," Fraser said. "She has caused problems for other teams and created invaluable opportunities for us."

This year alone, Jones has matched the season record for assists with former teammate Sara Field, with six assists. Jones is also UA's all-time assist leader, breaking the previous record earlier this season.

"Basically, I'm not scoring," Jones said. "So I saw it to be working better with me giving the ball off. I've turned my play into a passing game and I'm feeding to that strength because that's what's working best for me right now."

Jones has assisted or scored eight of the Wildcats' last 13 goals, yet still she wishes she could have finished off more.

"I'm probably going to leave with a lot of regrets," she said. "I had a great time, I just wish I would have done more (and) won more."

The Wildcats (3-10-2 overall, 2-1-1 Pacific 10 Conference) have struggled this season, especially on the offensive side. They have managed to match or outshoot their opponents in over half of their games, but still come up short a goal or more for the victory.

"The season has been disappointing," Jones said. "Part of me is ready for it to be over. But I'm sure I'll miss it. I'll miss playing a lot."

But Jones is ready to move on from her soccer career that began as a little girl.

"I don't want to play anymore," she said. "It's time to spend my time doing other things in life now."

Jones will finish at the UA in May with a degree in Marketing. She said that she will interview all spring, and hopefully land a job in Arizona or Southern California.

"On the field, Nikki wants to win and it shows in all she does out there," Fraser said. "And she works hard off the field, too. She does a good job with everything."

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.