Penn State senior forward Christie Welsh (of Massapequa Park) concluded her brilliant career with the Nittany Lions by helping her team reach the final four of the NCAA College Cup. she will leave Penn State as the most decorated women's soccer player in the school's history.

Last season, the Massapequa Park High School alumna, won the coveted Hermann Trophy as the most outstanding collegiate soccer player in the nation (as selected by coaches and sportswriters). Past female winners of the Hermann Trophy include United States Women's World Cup Champions Michelle Akers and two-time winners Mia Hamm and Cindy Parlow.

In addition, Welsh was the last recipient of the M.A.C. Award as top female soccer player in NCAA Division I soccer in 2001. Beginning in 2002 the M.A.C. Award and the Hermann Award were combined. An exhibit dedicated to the new award will feature all former recipients of both awards at the National Soccer Museum in Oneonta, NY this summer.

Recently, Welsh was named All-American for the fourth consecutive year and she is the 14th player in NCAA history to reach 200 career points. So, what is next for Welsh? The US Women's National Team could use some fresh legs on their World Cup (in 2003) and Olympics (in 2004) squads.

Regarding Welch's immediate future, the women's United Soccer Association (WSUA) will hold its annual draft in February. Many expect Welsh to be drafted early in the first round. Among the teams interested in Welsh are the Boston Breakers and the New York Power.

Welsh's return to the New York area might provide some much-needed energy to the Power scoring attack. Led by Tiffany Milbrett's 10 goals, the Power scored only 31 goals in 2002 (which was second to last in the league). Adding Welsh, a striker, should immediately improve the Power's scoring attack.