There are many components and cliches to a title run, most of which the No. 4 Penn State women's soccer team possesses.

This may be the year that they win the College Cup, soccer's version of NCAA basketball's 64-team-field "Big Dance."

First, you have to win at home.

"We don't lose at home," senior forward Tiffany Weimer said following a win earlier this season.

Second, you have to be pissed off about something or at someone.

The Nittany Lions are.

Last year they lost in the second round of the College Cup to Maryland at Jeffrey Field, ending a 39-game home winning streak.

Although Penn State coach Paula Wilkins avoided the topic at Media Day Aug. 29, it's still on their minds. Seeded second going into the tournament, the early exit dropped them to ninth in the postseason rankings.

"Everyone loves the Maryland question. I was talking to somebody about that," Wilkins said. "I haven't even really thought about that game yet."

Although Wilkins did the sidestep, senior goalie Erin McLeod was willing to tango.

Smiling and nodding her head as Wilkins gave the "P.C." answer, she admitted that their trip into College Park on Sept. 16 was in the back of their heads, but not at the forefront of their minds.

Wilkins has kept the loss fresh, however, reminding the Lions of the decisive goal at least once at practice this season.

Combine bitterness from a season gone wrong with a "we can't lose" attitude, and you see a callous, determined swagger.

It's also kept them resilient.

The Lions have trailed twice this season. In the season opener against Washington on Aug. 26, they fell behind early, but it only sparked a 3-0 Lion run.

Against then-No. 4 Virginia, the Lions were constantly on their heels in the first half, falling behind, 2-1. Penn State responded with four unanswered goals.

"We could've put them under but [Weimer] keeps them in it a little bit," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "She makes a nice play at a certain time, keeping the [home] atmosphere."

Third, there's a personal favorite saying of mine, courtesy of Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams: "Special players make special plays on special days."

They have three candidates for the women's soccer equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, including returning runner-up Weimer.

The offensive load-bearer has been aided up front by the addition of senior Carmelina Moscato and freshmen Sheree Gray and Zoe Bouchelle. A former midfielder/defender, Moscato saw significant playing time up front on the Ottawa Fury.

One of the team's best at getting the ball in the box, she's created opportunities for Weimer.

"Carm is extremely technical and can serve a great ball," Wilkins said. "That's what makes her so dangerous. She can find Tiffany all the time penetrating the backline."

Bouchelle scored her first collegiate goal Sunday in the blowout off one of those serves from Moscato against Virginia. Moscato notched her first goal of the season minutes earlier, finally finishing one of her chances this year.

Last year the Lions lost the prep star in the early going of the 2004 campaign with a stress fracture in her foot.

With two goals by Ali Krieger against Loyola and the emergence of Aubrey Aden-Buie of late, the Lions have an explosive attack. They have been able to rest Weimer, which is a change, she was the sole PSU threat earlier this season.

That's important. The better teams will contain the senior, but now the Lions have a full compliment of threats.

Fourth, if it's true that defenses win championships, the Lions may break through for the first time in the program's 11-year history.

McLeod and senior defender Natalie Jacobs also earned spots on the watchlists for the M.A.C. Hermann trophy, solidifying the back with captain Lindsay Bach. Junior Heather Tomko, a forward her whole career up until this past weekend, has been moved to defense.

"What Heather brings for us is a little athleticism, speed and a little bit of hardness," Wilkins said.

Fifth, you have to convert on every opportunity, because you won't get many against the nation's best.

And then there's the most elusive of these intangibles: team chemistry.

Wilkins admits that the combination of Weimer and Moscato is "a bit unorthodox." But it works.

"Tiff and Moscato are different kinds of forwards," Virginia's Swanson said, "but they feed extremely well off each other."

One thing remains to be seen. Can they win on the road?

Tomorrow, the Lions board a plane at 4:30 a.m. to travel to the UCLA Classic.

At 6 p.m. Friday they dance with Southern California, the opening act for the encore against the host, currently No. 3 in the country.