She's got skills.

It's the song Oregon senior forward Nicole Garbin has chosen to play as a ringback tone on her cell phone, and an accurate description for the former two-time Hawai'i State Player of the Year.

"I kind of think of myself as that girl they are singing to, I pertain that to soccer, and on the field," she said of the song "(She's Got) Skillz" by the 90s group, All-4-One.

Garbin, a 2001 Baldwin graduate, is leading the team with six goals after taking off last season recovering from her second knee surgery in two years.

"I just have a competitive nature, and I just want to win so bad, so I try and do whatever it takes to score," she said. "Although in the first two games they were penalty kicks, it was nice to see the coaches look to me to step up and take them."

Her presence is a welcome one for the Ducks. Oregon is 22-19-3 when she plays, and 5-28-5 when she has been out with an injury or a red card.

The senior sat out two years: in what would have been her sophomore year and last year, with knee injuries.

She underwent surgery in 2002 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a practice, and again in the spring of 2004 after she tore the ACL in her right knee.

"They're OK. There is always going to be some pain and tightness, but you just gotta push through it," she said.

After the season, she will petition for a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA because of medical hardship.

"They said it's pretty much for sure," said Garbin, who is graduating in June but will take graduate classes toward a master's degree in education next year while she plays.

When she is finished with her eligibility, she's considering going overseas to play professionally, after hearing about that option while playing with the Seattle Sounders of the W-League during the summer.

Although she has scored six of the team's nine goals this season, and five of her goals have been game-winners, she said she was playing tentatively at the start of the season.

"Both physically and psychologically, I was really excited to be out there, but I didn't want to get hurt again. I wanted to last the whole season," she said.

Then she decided to play more aggressively, and she said it has paid off.

Garbin is third in Oregon's career record book for goals (18) and points (49). She was a Pac-10 All-Conference second-team selection in 2003.

Although she ranked second on the team with 15 points on five goals and five assists as a freshman, she said it took her a while to adjust to being a forward after playing as a defender and midfielder for all of high school.

"I asked if I could try out to play in a midfielder position and they said they wouldn't utilize me there with my speed and ability to hold the ball," she said.

It took her first knee injury for Garbin to realize what she could do as a forward, a role she has since embraced.

"I think I actually prefer forward now," she said. "When I came back from my first ACL, I sat out that whole year and I just studied and watched other forwards from other teams and I got more familiar with runs and the support you need as a striker."

She also has enjoyed playing for new head coach Tara Erickson.

"Everything, I feel, is so much better," Garbin said. "She is always involved with us and there is so much more coaching going on. She's awesome."

As a result of her knee injuries, her basketball career is likely over. Garbin was a member of Oregon's basketball team as a freshman, but plays intramurals to continue "my first love," she said.

"I get super competitive, and it's supposed to be for fun, and I try to get the best girls out there," she said. "Sometimes, I even start yelling."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.