What a difference a year makes. Sophomore forward Roslyn Jones is the second-leading scorer for the LSU soccer team with eight goals on the season, after having played defender last season. Jones has helped lift the LSU offense out of the Southeastern Conference cellar in goals scored to No. 2 in the league with 32 goals. The Tigers are accustomed to playing in front of more than 1,000 fans on game day, but Jones’ career came from much humbler beginnings. In the front yard of her Mandeville residence, Jones started her soccer endeavors using a homemade goal her dad built. “My dad made a goal out of plastic pipes that connect together and put some fishing net behind it,” Jones said. “We had one at each end of the yard, and my whole family – including my mom and dad – would play.” Most athletes play the same sports their parents did, but Jones’ parents had no previous experience in soccer. Roslyn’s dad, Frank Jones, said soccer was not prominent when he was growing up. “My parents didn’t know anything about soccer, so I picked the game up from my friends,” Roslyn said. “I decided I would give it a shot, so I signed up to play when I was 8 years old.” Roslyn eventually outgrew the homemade nets and continued her career at Fountainbleau High School in Mandeville. Frank recalled his favorite memory of his daughter, when Roslyn scored a game-winning goal against rival Mandeville High School. “Fountainbleau was behind two goals, and they have never lost to Mandeville,” Frank said. “Roslyn led the comeback and scored the game winner. It was pretty nice to have bragging rights for four years.” Roslyn said her goal put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2 to secure the winning streak against their rival. “Our team scored two goals, and then with five minutes left, I turned and shot in the goal to win, 3-2,” Roslyn said. “It was probably from about 20 yards out, and I turned on my defender and put the ball just inside the post.” Roslyn said victory was nice, but a 4-0 win against Mandeville in her junior season to capture the 5-A Louisiana State Championship was much better. “Winning the state championship against our biggest rival was awesome,” Roslyn said. By the time Roslyn stepped onto the LSU Soccer Complex field, she had the Louisiana Player of the Year award and a state championship in hand. Jones said she expected to play defender in her freshman season because she played the position on Olympic Development teams and club teams. “I figured I would play defender as a freshman because everyone has always told me that was my stronger position,” Roslyn said. After starting 17 games as a freshman and being part of a backline that allowed 1.21 goals per game, LSU coach Brian Lee switched Roslyn from defender to forward. “We knew we had a lot of defenders coming in, and Caroline [Vanderpool] can play there as well,” Lee said. “We weren’t sure who was going to sort themselves out up front. We thought [Roslyn] would be a really nice fit to score goals because she has very good composure. Roslyn is just a good kid who works hard and will do whatever is asked of her.” Roslyn said she was shocked by the decision. “I had no idea I would be playing forward in college, so I was a little shocked to learn I would be playing forward,” Roslyn said. “I had to get my confidence back at that position.” Jones adjusted to the move well, scoring a goal in all five spring games. Lee attributes her success to her short learning curve. “She is the type of kid [who] you don’t have to tell her something twice,” Lee said. “You tell her something, and it will be done every time after that forever. It is singularly unique because I have never coached a player [who] has that ability.” Jones said having experience at defender has increased her productivity at forward. “When I am one-on-one with a defender, I know what a defender would do,” Roslyn said. “That helps me attack and win balls.” LSU has never made it to the NCAA Tournament, but Jones said she is confident this team can accomplish its goals. “Everyone on this team has been on championship-caliber teams, so we know how to win,” she said. “Everybody wants to continue that here, but we have to fight as a team to accomplish that.”
—–Contact Matt Vines at mvines@lsureveille.com