Penn State women’s coach Patrick Farmer resigned his position. He is expected to be named the WUSA’s New York Power head coach. In seven years, Farmer has guided the young Nittany Lion program since its inception in 1994 to the 1999 NCAA College Cup. This fall, Farmer led Penn State to its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a third straight Elite Eight appearance and an unprecedented third consecutive Big Ten Championship. “Pat Farmer has done an outstanding job for the women’s soccer program, and we hate to lose him, but are understanding of the opportunity presented to him,” athletic director Tim Curley said. “We wish him the very best and appreciate the momentum he has provided for our program.” In 2000, the Nittany Lions finished 22-3-1 overall and a perfect 10-0 in Big Ten play. PSU also captured the 2000 Big Ten Tournament crown for the second time. PSU recorded a school-best 22 wins and re-wrote the team season records for shutouts (17), fewest goals allowed (11), and lowest goals-against average (0.40). The Big Ten champions also garnered the league’s Player of the Year for the second straight year in Christie Welsh and the Freshman of the Year in Joanna Lohman, PSU’s third consecutive honor. In 1999, Farmer coached the Nittany Lions to their first-ever NCAA College Cup appearance and third straight Big Ten Conference championship. PSU recorded a school-best 21 wins and finished the season ranked No. 4 nationally — its highest ranking to date. Farmer was named the 1999 NSCAA/adidas Division I National Coach of the Year. On Oct. 10, 1999, Farmer became just the seventh coach in NCAA Division I history to record his 200th career victory with a 4-1 win at Illinois. Farmer lifted the Lions to their biggest upset victory in school history on Sept. 12, 1999, when the No. 5 Nittany Lions knocked off No. 1 North Carolina, 3-2, in Chapel Hill. Before taking over his duties at Penn State, Farmer was the head women’s soccer coach at Ithaca College for seven years and guided the Bombers to back-to-back national championships in 1990 and 1991. During his tenure at Ithaca, he coached 12 All-Americans and 23 players who made the all-region team. Farmer began his coaching career as an undergraduate with the St. Lawrence junior varsity squad. He coached the Town of Webb boys junior varsity to a 44-12-6 mark from 1976-79 and then led the school’s girls varsity team to a 95-26-1 slate from 1980-86, winning six league and two regional titles. A native of Old Forge, N.Y., Farmer was a letterman on the soccer, skiing, and track teams at Town of Webb High School before attending St. Lawrence University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1974 and was a three-time letterwinner in soccer and skiing. He earned a master’s degree in secondary education from his alma mater in 1976.