SLIPPERY ROCK — The logic was simple for Jence Rhoads.

"I figured this was the last year I'd be able to play soccer, ever, in my life," she said.

Rhoads' future is on the basketball court, where she is being recruited by major Division I college programs and where she is widely considered one of the best high school point guards in the nation.

Her here and now is on the soccer field, where the Slippery Rock HighSchool senior partners with fellow senior Kelsey Drennen to form one of the most potent midfield combinations around.

Last year, Rhoads thought about giving up soccer, but she decided not to abandon the sport and turned in a spectacular junior season, scoring 34 goals.

Drennen scored 16 goals and also had 10 assists.

"Either one of them can control a game," said SlipperyRock girls soccer coach Blair Gantz.

Teams in the region had fits controlling the duo last season, and the results were striking.

The Rockets went 14-0 in the league and advanced to the District 10 playoffs, where they lost their first-round game to perennial power Harbor Creek.

This year, SlipperyRock is loaded with seniors — and Drennen and Rhoads are leading the way.

Perhaps the player most happy Rhoads decided to play again is Drennen.

"It's definitely awesome because Jence and I are a unit out there on the field," Drennen said. "We work off of each other. We've played together forever, and, a lot of the time, I know exactly where she is going to be. I don't even look up."

Rhoads is aware she might be putting a Division I basketball scholarship in jeopardy by playing soccer.

Countless girls have suffered knee injuries doing little more than cutting while playing soccer.

But Rhoads isn't letting herself dwell too much about the possibility.

"You can get hurt walking down the stairs," she said. "I guess it's a bigger risk playing, but what's the use in worrying about it?"

Instead, she prefers to think about helping theRockets get over their playoff curse.

In doing so, she may have something else to think about.

Rhoads is within 20 goals of breaking the all-time scoring record atSlipperyRock.

When Rhoads was asked about being so close to the record, her eyes grew big.

"I had no idea I was that close," Rhoads said. "I don't even know who holds the record."

FYI: It's Beth Reefer with 75 in her four-year career that wrapped up in 2004.

Drennen isn't far behind, and she may get plenty of opportunities this year to score more goals because of the split attention she and Rhoads force from opponents.

"Our expectations are a lot higher this season," Drennen said. "Our progress right now is a little better than it was last year at this time. We're looking to have an awesome year."

Drennen's future

is on the soccer field — a place where she hopes to roam next season in college."I hope that comes about," Gantz said. "I just hope they have a good season together."Rhoads' presence may be felt more in November when the playoffs begin."If (Jence) doesn't play, our team probably still does well in the conference; we still probably win the conference," Gantz said. "But with her, I think we have a pretty good chance this year, but, of course, we have to go throughErie, and there are is some pretty good competition up there."