A popular defense for the Penn State women's soccer team's opponents has been to try and stop Joanna Lohman. With the play of Tiffany Weimer this weekend, however, Big Ten teams may start having to rethink their strategy.

On the strength of four goals by Weimer over the weekend, the No. 16 Nittany Lions (10-2-2, 4-1) gained ground in the Big Ten with consecutive 2-0 victories over Michigan State (7-3, 3-2) and Michigan (3-5-4, 2-2-2) at Jeffrey Field.

Weimer scored all four goals for the Lions in the conference matchups as the sophomore striker now leads the Big Ten in goals with 13 and points with 32.

"We showed something to the Big Ten again," Weimer said. "This whole weekend was good for us, so I think we're going to be OK."

Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins has been pleased with Weimer's recent performances, attributing her improved play to better positioning and conditioning.

"I think she's gotten herself into better spots," Wilkins said. "Her fitness is playing a role. She's gotten fitter over the past couple of weeks and it enables her to keep her intensity up. She just has a knack for the goal. She's a great scorer."

Weimer's scores displayed much of her skill with the ball and a little luck. Against the Wolverines, Weimer took a pinpoint feed from Lohman and broke in on Michigan keeper Suzie Grech, who came out to challenge her. Weimer, who stands a full seven inches shorter than Grech, was able to chip a ball just over the keeper's head and into the net.

In the game against the Spartans, Weimer sent what appeared to be a cross into the Michigan State box that ended up drifting toward the upper left corner of the net for a goal.

"It was a pleasant surprise," Weimer said of her would-be cross. "But hey, it went into the net, so I'll take it."

The Lions also had strong defensive performances in both games, as sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Brown only saw five shots come at her, en route to her fourth and fifth shutouts of the year.