For the second consecutive year Tiffany Weimer fell just short of bringing home the highest prize in women's soccer, the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.

This year the votes went to the University of Portland's Christine Sinclair, a junior from Canada, ahead of Weimer and University of North Carolina sophomore forward Heather O'Reilly.

The All-American Weimer led the country in goals as a junior with 26, and was just one shy of the Penn State single-season mark. She also led the Nittany Lions in assists (12) and game-winning goals (six) en route to the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.

"I'm disappointed, but any of the three would have been a good winner," Weimer said. "It's for the best college player so just being a finalist is a big honor for me."

Sinclair was not far behind in the stats department, scoring 22 goals and assisting on 11. In 2002, Sinclair led the Pilots to the NCAA National Championship.

Penn State's early exit from the NCAA tournament did not affect the voters' choice, as the voting for the award occurs before postseason games.

In Paula Wilkins' four years as women's soccer coach at Penn State, she has had one Hermann winner and at least one finalist in the other three years. Christie Welsh won the trophy in Wilkins' first season in 2001 and was runner-up in 2002. Last season, both Weimer and Penn State midfielder Joanna Lohman were finalists.

"It's a great compliment to have three players ranked in the top three in the country," Wilkins said. "It's a great honor. It's disappointing not to get the award but it's great for the program and for our team."

Heading into her senior season, Weimer is just 23 goals away from the Penn State career record and has an outside chance at the career point mark. She currently sits second behind Welsh on the Penn State charts with 59 career goals and third in points with 144.

Weimer is hoping that the third time will be the charm.

"I hope to be back in the final three again," she said. "Now that I've seen what it's like to win it and get close, it's definitely motivating."

Abuzz on All-Region team

Penn State had three players named first-team All-Mid Atlantic Region, along with two others to second team, by SoccerBuzz. Weimer, who was also named Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year, junior defenseman Natalie Jacobs and junior goalkeeper Erin McLeod earned first-team selections. Sophomore midfielder Ali Krieger and freshman defender Denay Riley earned second-team honors.