It's the time of year again when I decide to look back on some of hottest events that took place in Penn State sports over the past 12 months.

There have been several to chose from this season, such as Penn State women's soccer winning its third straight Big Ten crown.

And Christie Welsh's return after spending most of the year with the USA women's program. She returned to Happy Valley and captured her second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award.

The first year of the new millennium also saw James Boyd cracking 100 tackles in a 12-game season. Despite the losses by the team, it was Boyd's presence that kept Penn State in a lot of those games this season.

So without further ado I give you this year's top 10 moments in Penn State sports.

10. Penn State baseball season:

The Nittany Lions had their best season ever. With forty-five wins and 19 losses, the team made it to the baseball Super Regionals. Penn State was one series away from making it to the College World Series.

The Lions overcame the loss of manager Joe Hindelang who suffered mild heart attack a few days before the team left to play Texas.

Despite losing to the Longhorns the Lions had its best season in Penn State history.

9. Women's volleyball team loss ends home win streak at 87 matches:

After five seasons of wins, three straight Final Four appearances and one national title, the Lions lost their first home match in five seasons to Minnesota on Oct. 2.

Though the defending national champions are in the Sweet Sixteen in this year's NCAA Tournament, they have struggled so far this season with a pair of losses to the Golden Gophers and cellar dweller Northwestern Wildcats.

8. Ice hockey ACHA National Title:

In what was dubbed the "The Magic City Miracle," the Icers won three straight overtime games to capture their second title in three seasons.

During what is described as one of the greatest string of wins in the program's storybook history, Alon Eizenman scored unassisted with less than five minutes left in the first overtime of championship game. Eizenman also took home the tournament MVP.

7. Pat Farmer resigns:

After compiling more than 120 wins and leading the Lions to six NCAA appearances, the two-time Division I National Coach of the Year resigned Monday and will turn to the professional ranks and coach the New York Power.

6. Penn State's men basketball win over Kentucky 73-68:

It was a night that Joe and Jon Crispin combined for 51 points to defeat the Wildcats in front of 20,000.

It has been declared by many as one of the biggest victories in the program's history.

5.Penn State women's basketball makes it to the Women's Final Four:

After 20 seasons as head coach of Penn State, Rene Portland lead her squad to its first Final Four appearance. Despite losing to the eventual champion Connecticut 89-67, the Lions experienced one of the greatest seasons in its history.

4. Adam Taliaferro:

On one of the most basic plays in college football, Adam Taliaferro's life changed. Taliaferro went down as he attempted to tackle Ohio State running back Jerry Westbrooks. The incident occurred late in the Lions loss to the Buckeyes Sept. 23. The injury caused severe spinal cord damage and, while he continues to make progress, he might never play football again.

In honor of Taliaferro, the Lions dedicated to him their victory over Purdue the following week in one of the most energizing games played in Beaver Stadium in of recent memory.

3. Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington:

Possibly the greatest twosome of defenders in Penn State history, Brown and Arrington went No. 1 and No. 2 in this year's NFL Draft — Brown to the Cleveland Browns, and Arrington to the Washington Redskins.

2. Rashard Casey's scandals:

After leading the Lions to 29-0 victory over Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl, Casey was charged with assaulting an off-duty Hoboken, N.J., police officer. Though charges were later dropped, Casey's off the field troubles plagued the quarterback all season.

1.Penn State football's losing season:

After losing a trio of All-Americans, the Lions suffered their worst season since 1936.

That marked the last time they finished two games under .500.

The seven losses also cost Penn State head coach Joe Paterno a shot at claiming the all-time Division I-A wins record and forced him to wait until next year.

Adam Gorney, Steve Duncan, Jeff Rice, Anthony Miller, Carla Motko and Brian Hall also contributed to the article.