After Christie Welsh drilled the winning goal past a diving Our Lady of Mercy goalkeeper, Ashleigh Cirilla, to give the Massapequa Chiefs Girls Soccer Team the New York State Class A Championship last Nov. 16, all of Massapequa waited for Welsh's encore.

On Feb. 22, Christie Welsh did not disappoint, as she was selected on Parade magazine's sixth annual All-American Soccer Team. "I don't know if we could have won without her," said Chief's Coach Dick Tunick.

Now in her senior year, Welsh is roaming the country's major universities, trying to determine who will be the lucky team to land the All-American forward. Among the universities looking to obtain the brass ring (Ms. Walsh) are Clemson, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Penn State and Virginia; but that's next year.

This week, Welsh, and the Chief's successfully faced their first test, as they started on the journey toward their second straight Class A state title, by defeating South Side 2-0. The strong defense that developed last season, has returned this year; led by seniors Erin Meyer and Dawn Corso.

Picking up where she started some three years ago, Christie Welsh scored 17 minutes into the young season to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. Bridget Penta tapped in a second half goal to cap the Chief's scoring for the 2-0 victory and the Chief's defense stopped South Side's All-County Beth Totman from scoring.