Welsh and her No. 13 jersey are only one goal shy of becoming the Big Ten and Penn State leader for career goals. And with one goal against Iowa tonight or Illinois on Sunday, the junior forward will break the tie with former Penn State player Rachel Hoffman, who achieved the feat in 87 games, and be able to claim the title as her own.

Welsh also has the possibility to break another of Hoffman's records this weekend. Hoffman currently holds the record for most career points at Penn State with 147 and assists with 31. Welsh is only two points shy of tying that record.

"I think the most incredible thing about it is that she's only a junior and that she has the all-time scoring record half way through her junior year," senior Penn State goalkeeper Emily Oleksiuk said. "It shows she has the potential, and the impact she has made in only two-and-a-half years."

Welsh's performance last weekend also earned her the honor of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks. Welsh scored five goals for the Nittany Lions in action against Michigan and Michigan State, including a career-high four goals against Michigan on Sunday. The forward also set the school record for shots in a game (12) and points in a game (10). She was also named to the Soccer America Team of the Week and the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week for her contributions.

Welsh's performance this year has her leading the nation with 14 goals and 36 points after 11 games.

Welsh's 58 career goals have come in only 58 games, giving her a one goal per game average. And according to Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins, only two players have done that before, one player who many people know well — Mia Hamm.

"I think it's a really great record. . .," Wilkins said. "It's a major achievement and I think people should stand up and notice."

Although Welsh will most likely break the record this weekend on either Iowa's or Illinois' turf, there will be plenty of people there to notice.

"I think that from all I know about Christie Welsh she would be that person that the Penn State soccer community would be proud to have hold that record for the team," Iowa women's soccer coach Wendy Logan said. "She's very talented but she shows class too...If it happens (breaking the record at Iowa) we'll give her her due, but we'll do all that we can to postpone it for one game."

The Lions (8-2-1, 4-0-1 Big Ten) start their weekend at 4 p.m. central time today against Iowa (5-6).

The Hawkeyes bring with them junior forward Sarah Lynch who has scored four goals for Iowa this year, including the game-winning goal against Big Ten opponent Northwestern last Sunday.

According to Wilkins, the Lions haven't played that well at Iowa in the past, partly due to what Wilkins called a "stale environment," and the team will try to change that history this weekend.

But the Lions will have to face their toughest Big Ten foe yet on Sunday against Illinois (6-4) who is ranked second in the Big Ten behind Penn State. Third-year coach Tricia Taliafiero brings with her senior Colleen Joyce who has scored seven goals for the Fighting Illini this season. Joyce's play for Illinois earned her recognition as the co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Sept. 3.

As for Welsh, she will be worrying about nothing but her own team this weekend.

And as for breaking the record, that will happen when it happens.

"I think it's cool that I even got close to the record as a junior, so there's no pressure at all," Welsh said. "The pressure has to do with winning games."

Collegian Staff Writer Jeff Frantz contributed to this article.