After the first full weekend of Big Ten play, the Penn State women's soccer team has taken control of the conference.

The No. 12 Nittany Lions (7-1-1, 3-0 Big Ten) are the only team that has remained undefeated. Penn State dominated its opponents this weekend, not allowing a goal and giving up only seven shots.

Freshman forward Tiffany Weimer was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after scoring all four of the Lions' goals. Weimer registered her first career hat trick on Friday night against the Hoosiers. She also netted the only goal of the game on Sunday against Purdue, but that was enough to seal the victory.

Weimer is at or very near the top in every Penn State offensive category. She leads the team in goals with seven, and is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with three. Weimer is second on the team in points scored with 15. The North Haven, Conn., native seems to find the ball in opportune times and is able to finish.

"She has the ability to find the ball," Penn State coach Paula Wilkins said. "She's like Wayne Gretzky, she knows where the ball is going, and gets to the spot."

Defensive back Leigh Hamilton earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, as she anchored a defense that gave up only two shots against Indiana, and one shot after the intermission against the Boilermakers.

Hamilton assisted on Weimer's goal against Purdue.

"She's been our most consistent defender," Wilkins said. "She organizes the defense and is the leader."

Ms. Versatility

Junior Stephanie Smith has done it all for the Lions. She has played both defensive back and has seen some action at forward.

This weekend she spent time at both positions. Smith contributed to the defense that did not allow a shot on goal until the 65th minute against Indiana.

Wilkins said that Smith's play has been very stable at both positions.

Against James Madison last weekend she played forward and recorded a pair of goals.

Welsh contained

Hermann Trophy winner Christie Welsh had a quiet weekend by her standards. The senior only scored one point, and didn't put a ball in the net.

She had her opportunities in the Indiana game, as she had three quality scoring chances. Welsh had five shots on goal in the game. In the rain, she sent two balls sailing over the net and pushed a third past the left post from in front of the net.

"The only person that can stop Christie is Christie," said Wilkins following the win against Indiana.

Purdue tried to limit the number of Welsh's scoring chances. She managed to get only three shots. Purdue goalie Jocelyn Cavalier made a great diving save when Welsh was alone with only one Cavalier to beat.

"The ball stopped her," Purdue women's soccer coach Robert Klatte said.

"Either she was going to stop it, or she was going to get knocked over by it."