Get to Know: Tiffany Weimer

Tiffany Weimer, mostly known for her skill on the ball, is easily one of the best players in Women’s Professional Soccer (and one of my favorites). She carries the individual flair that can excite a crowd, and a great ability to score goals and create dangerous plays for her team. She showed this in the first WPS game for Gold Pride back in April when she set up Eriko Arakawa’s goal to give the Pride a 1-0 lead against the Breakers. (Pride went on to win 2-1.)

As a former Nittany Lion at Penn State university, Weimer holds the NCAA record for consecutive games in which she scored a goal, scoring in 17 straight games during her senior year.  Over her four-year career, she scored a total of 91 goals, ninth all-time in Division I history, and recorded 32 assists.  Her 214 career points ranks among the top-20 all-time in college soccer.  Yeah, she’s alright.

Weimer most recently played in the Bay Area for FC Gold Pride of Women’s Professional Soccer, where she played 15 games, starting 10. She was signed as a free agent with the Boston Breakers and is excited to be playing there next season. I got to ask her a few questions, so read below and find out what she had to say!

1. Best moment(s) at Penn State?

My best moment at Penn State was scoring the winning goal in the Elite Eight game against Santa Clara my senior year. It was the last goal I ever scored on Jeffrey Field and our ticket to the 2005 College Cup.

2. What car do you drive?

I am currently driving a 2007 VW Jetta (Its’ a Wolfsburg edition, which is supposed to be better than a regular Jetta-who knows if it actually is)

3. Any tattoos?

Yes, I have a tattoo of the number eight on my right wrist. I always wanted to get the number on me somewhere and when I saw Fernando Torres’ for the first time I knew exactly what I wanted.

4. Who was one of the hardest players to play against in WPS?

I’m pretty sure Chioma Igwe was the hardest player I played against in the WPS. She is tough as nails. Word has it she takes boxing classes.

5. Player who was most fun to play with in 2009 with FC Gold Pride?

Carrie Dew is the most fun person in the world.

6. How did you acquire all your skills? Did you have to work on them to perfect them, or do you just think you’re gifted?

I think I am a little gifted… some things have just come natural- but I also spend hours with the soccer ball every day of my life so probably a good mixture of both.

7. How did you get your nickname “Ocho?” Who came up with it?

The nickname Ocho came from my family members hearing about Chad OchoCinco and jokingly calling me “Ocho”- then it just stuck. I love it.

8. You seem to really like Farmville on Facebook. How many gift requests do you get on average each day?

I usually get about 30 a day. I am really into Farmville. It has inspired me to start my own real farm. But I doubt I have the work ethic for it.

9. Will you get someone to tend your farm on Farmville during WPS season?

I’m sure I will. I have designated people to help out when I can’t make it in time to harvest. Those people know who they are.

10. Favorite book?

I recently read Helter Skelter and loved it… I couldn’t put it down. But I also loved Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. So I can’t really decide, sorry.

11. Spiderman or Batman? Or neither?

Batman- I still sleep with my Batman sleeping bag at home.

12. Name your favorite word.

Groolski.

13. What’s your favorite move to pull off on the field?

The pull back nutmeg.

14. What is you greatest accomplishment of your entire soccer career?

Going undefeated my senior year of college… the two shoot-out “loses” counted as ties… so our final record was 23-0-2.

15. What was your first soccer team’s name and colors?

My first soccer team had black uniforms and we were called the Gunners I think.

16. Describe your first WPS season in one word.

Educational.

17. Who has the smelliest shin guards (or gloves) that you know of?

Most goalkeepers’ gloves are seriously nasty. One especially who shall remain nameless.

18. What do you like to do on your down time?

Try to find more down time.

19. Name your favorite movie.

Mean Girls and Beaches

20. Have you ever gone to a bar and been carded? (You look so young!)

I get carded for everything… people still bring me kid’s menus; they think I’m too young to sit in the emergency exit aisle on a plane; going to the casino and yes of course, going into bars is always a hassle.