A timetable has been tentatively set for the return of sophomore forward Zoe Bouchelle -- who would be the Penn State women's soccer team's top returning scorer from last year -- according to head coach Paula Wilkins.

Wilkins said yesterday that the team's trainers informed her that Bouchelle, who suffered an injury during the preseason, could begin practicing with her teammates in as early as two weeks.

Wilkins would not elaborate on the severity of the injury, but Bouchelle mentioned her rehabilitation process and is optimistic about getting healthy to help her team defend its Big Ten championship.

"My biggest priority right now is just to get better and come back to play with the team," she said. "Right now, I am doing treatment and everything to strengthen my quad, and hopefully I will be back as soon as possible."

Bouchelle has rarely participated in team drills since the injury and has yet to dress for a game this season.

After starting 18 of 25 games last season, Bouchelle has had to watch all of the Nittany Lions' games from the bench so far this year. A task that she admits has been tough, even though she has done it before.

In 2004, Bouchelle started the first four games before she was sidelined with a stress fracture in her foot, which earned her a medical redshirt year.

"It's always difficult when you're injured, but I am here to support the team," she said.

With seven goals and four assists last season, Bouchelle was named 2005 Soccer Buzz Freshman All-Mid-Atlantic Region as the team's third-leading scorer.

Her return to the lineup -- whenever that may be -- could mean a huge boost for Penn State's offense, which has been inconsistent at times through the first 10 games.

"You can never tell with injuries, especially this type of injury. It is tough to put definite time on it," she said.

"I just want to get on to the field as soon as I can."

While the Lions would love to have Bouchelle back as quickly as possible, they know that her health is the most important thing.

"[Zoe] brings a lot of experience and goal-scoring ability to the team," assistant coach Michael Coll said. "But we are not going to put her out there if she is only 30 percent. We are going to wait until she is at 100 percent."