The saga continues.

Will she stay?

Will she go?

For the better part of the past year, these two questions have relentlessly hovered over the Penn State Women's Soccer Team.

The future of sophomore forward Christie Welsh, who spent this past spring and summer training and touring with the U.S. National Team, has been about as predictable as State College weather.

It was decided earlier this month that Welsh, perhaps the most decorated player in the program's brief history, would return to Penn State this fall to resume play with the Lady Lions following her selection as one of four alternates to the U.S. Olympic Team.

The issue was presumably settled, at least for the time being.

Yesterday, however, when longtime soccer legend Michelle Akers announced her retirement from international competition, the questions started up again.

Would Welsh serve as a replacement?

Would she forgo her sophomore season at Penn State just as it was getting under way?

When the dust settled, the answer was no — again, for the time being.

The 34-year-old Akers, a member of the original U.S. National Women's team, cited an injured shoulder and an ongoing battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as reasons for her retirement.

Michelle French, a midfielder who played for the University of Portland, was thought to be the most likely candidate to replace Akers.

There will be a formal press conference this afternoon.

"I wasn't too clear on (the alternate selection process)," said Welsh. "I knew I would stay behind unless I was really needed."

However, that means that if another player bows out due to an injury or another reason, Welsh will get the call. If such an opportunity presents itself, would she take it?

"Oh, yeah. Of course," said Penn State women's soccer coach Pat Farmer.

He also said he had heard rumors earlier in the week that Akers would step down, and he would "definitely" encourage his player to go to Sydney if given the option.

"It's the Olympics. I can't see anyone passing that up," Farmer added.

The coach admitted that the departure of Welsh would be an emotional as well as a tactical burden to the team, but said that, in the event of that happening, "I'd like to think they'd rally together in the end."