SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – First year Slippery Rock University men's soccer head coach Michael Bonelli announced Monday that Alex Jones will join the program as a graduate assistant for the 2010 season.

“We're excited to have Alex come on to work as a part of our staff this year,” said Bonelli. “He had a great playing career at a high level and we're looking forward to him helping us this fall.”

Jones comes to Slippery Rock after graduating last May from Loyola University Chiicago, where he played four seasons of Division I soccer for the Ramblers.

Jones opened his collegiate career by earning Horizon League All-Newcomer honors after netting six goals, including three game-winners, to lead the team in scoring as a freshman. He appeared in 16 games and made 12 starts that season.

Jones followed that performance with 12 starts and 18 appearances a sophomore, scoring one goal and handing out one assist. He then started in 16 games as a junior, netting four goals, including game-winners over Air Force, Santa Clara and Valparaiso.

In his senior season last fall, Jones started in nine games and played in 15, finishing second on the team with two goals, including a highlight-reel bicycle kick goal against UIC.

For his collegiate career, Jones appeared in 65 games with 49 starts and tallied 13 goals.

Jones is a native of Downers Grove, Ill., where he helped lead Downers Grove South High School to the state championship in 2004. He led the team in scoring, served as a captain and was named the team's MVP in his senior season. Along with his high school and collegiate success, Jones played club soccer for Ajax FC Chicago.

Slippery Rock competes in the NCAA Division II and is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Rock is coming off its best season in school history, finishing 2009 with an 18-4-1 record, a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Round of 16. SRU has reached the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four years.