Over the past four years, Ivanna Jones’s career has come full circle.

As a freshman, she started on defense for the Zephyrs and proved to be an integral part of their run to the state final game. Former head coach George Romano once described her as a” key defensive presence” for state runner-up team in 2012.

From there, Jones gradually made the shift to offense, and Jones has truly made the transition leading her second-seeded team with 26 goals going into the PIAA District 11 Class 3A semifinal against Nazareth Tuesday night as the Zephyrs will be looking to defend their title.

“Things have been going well,” said Jones. “We feel we are ready to win and take another title. We saw a team like Nazareth again, but we both know each other well. At this point, we know what we have to do.”

Scoring was an adjustment for Jones. Last season, she tallied 13 goals, but she and her teammates were still in the shadow of former standout Kourtney Cunningham, who led the team with 40 goals last season.

“I knew I had to work on my scoring,” she said. “I know I have to score for us to win. We had Kourtney (Cunningham) last year, but it is different. I knew I had to take it upon myself.”

Being in a leadership role was a bit different. She did burst onto the scene as a freshman, but managed her timetable.

“When I came in as a freshman, I was really nervous,” she recalled. “It was pretty high intensity, but I knew I could handle it. There were different types of players, but I became comfortable pretty quickly.

“I wouldn’t think about any pressure to score and lead during the game, but I would think about outside the game,” said Jones. “But I became more comfortable with it.”

Head coach Dave Weitzman certainly has noticed the difference.

“Ivanna (Jones) has been tremendous for us,” said Weitzman. “She had really taken the team upon her shoulders. She has stepped up her game and I saw her scoring about 15 goals for us this year. She has really come up big for us on several occasions this year.”

Jones began playing soccer at the age of five, but she stopped playing on a travel squad in seventh grade. She wanted to redirect part of her time to basketball as well as track. Jones also has been a standout in the two other sports and she has been involved in school programs and with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

She plans to pursue a career in either pharmaceuticals or biology in college and hasn’t narrowed her choices. Jones would like to continue her career in track, excelling over the years in the long, high, and triple jumps for the Zephyrs.

Jones also credits the constant support of her parents Shawn and Maria and other family members, who attend her games on a regular basis.

Whatever the final outcome, Jones certainly has enjoyed the ride, one that has had some bumps along the way.

“We noticed we had a disconnect as a team midway through the season,” she said. “But our coach stepped in and we all worked together. Now, we have a great chemistry here and we all are very appreciative of each other.

“But this has been a great experience. I’ve had two great coaches and I have learned many things. We just all want to finish on a high note.”