Professional athletes will try to convince you that they play for the love of the game and the money they receive has nothing to do with it.

Whether you believe them or not is your choice.

Penn State women's soccer player Tiffany Weimer is not a professional athlete yet, but there is no doubt in her mind or her coaches' minds that she loves the game.

Her Under-16 and Under-19 World Class club soccer coach Paul Halford described Weimer as a soccer "junkie" who eats, drinks and lives soccer.

"She is one of the kids who really loves soccer," Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins said. "She watches it and really just has a soccer mentality. She enjoys the game a lot and it helps her to do well at it."

The North Haven, Conn., native had a decorated high school career and was named a Parade All-American as a senior at North Haven H.S. Weimer's most productive playing in high school came during club season. She was a member of the World Class team that won the national title in 1999 under the direction of Dave Clarke. Clarke believed that Weimer was one of the best players in Connecticut in the 15 years he has been there.

"So far he has been one of the best coaches I've ever had," Weimer said. "He showed me how to present myself, on and off the field. He definitely had an effect on how well I'm playing now and how much I love the game."

Clarke said that while he would have loved to have Weimer at Quinnipiac, where he is the women's soccer coach, Penn State's great program and the chance to play with a great player like Christie Welsh was what brought Weimer to Happy Valley.

Wilkins was drawn to Weimer by her ability to score and her moves inside the box. Her reasons have been well justified, as the freshman has played in all 18 games for the No. 10 Nittany Lions and leads the Big Ten in goals with 12. Wilkins is not overwhelmed by what the forward has accomplished and believes that her game will get better.

"She made a little adjustment at the beginning of the year and I think she has evolved," Wilkins said. "She will work on getting stronger, fitness and reading the game better. She has her best days ahead of her and that's good bceause she has done well so far."

The Big Ten Freshman of the Year award is a distinct possibility for Weimer and she would become the fourth Penn State player to win the award in the past five years. The past two players to win the award for the Lions, senior Christie Welsh and junior Joanna Lohman, are two of the players Weimer has said she looks up to.

"She [Christie Welsh] has taught me a lot since I have been here already about what it takes to be the best and what it takes to be an athlete in college," Weimer said. "Joanna, she's a complete player. A leader on and off the field. She plays the entire game, every game and is the most fit player."

Weimer's love of the game is even more apparent when she talks about the need to get hyped for the game -- or the lack thereof. No loud music is needed because she doesn't need to be artificially hyped up for a game, the only thing she does is eats a candy bar before every game. The thrill of playing in the game will be enough to get her ready.

Listed at a generous 5-foot-4 in the media guide, Weimer is at a distinct disadvantage in the size category but makes up for it with speed and, maybe more importantly, heart. She doesn't have an imposing figure like that of Welsh or Drummond, but she hasn't been afraid to get inside and mix it up with some of the bigger players.

Weimer is moving so fast at times that all you can see is a white headband buzzing around defenders. Her trademark headband has been her since she had a good game wearing one in middle school.

Her speed has been evident this year as numerous times she has blown by defenders in one-on-one situations. Wilkins has said that her one-on-one play is a strong suit and that her play is very offensive-minded.

"I love being on the field and just playing," Weimer said. "I obviously like scoring goals and beating people one-on-one. When that's not fun I will stop playing, but that will probably never happen."

Weimer who has been playing soccer since she was five years old, started playing because at the time it was what everyone else was doing. Now, 13 years later she is still playing and not because everyone else is. Because everyone else isn't playing Div. I soccer. Her skills have carried her to the highest level of women's college soccer.

Her love of the game could give her the chance to get to the next level.