Penn State women’s soccer climbed three spots to No. 7 in the first United Soccer Coaches Poll of the season.

The Nittany Lions jumped three spots after being ranked No. 10 in the preseason rankings earlier this month.

Nittany Lions move up three spots to #7 in the latest @UnitedCoaches poll! pic.twitter.com/8SIwWhNkSv

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) August 24, 2021

The Nittany Lions earned their spot by winning two games last week. Despite conceding first, they opened the season by defeating UMass 3-1 on Thursday in Penn State’s first sporting event of the year. On Sunday, a much more comprehensive performance dispatched La Salle 4-0, which included a Payton Linnehan hat trick in a span of three minutes and 24 seconds.

Third time's a charm. pic.twitter.com/Am5XPNZ4MD

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) August 22, 2021

The ranking bump is a deserved testament to the Nittany Lions’ strong start, although the United Soccer Coaches Poll has proven to not bear much weight on the NCAA Selection Committee in the past.

In the spring season, the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 9 going into the tournament — No. 4 just a week before on April 13 — yet they weren’t given one of the 16 first round byes.

The top of the rankings saw a noticeable shuffle, which helped Penn State’s rise. Defending national champions Santa Clara tied Cal on Sunday, which dropped the Broncos from No. 2 to No. 10.

The Nittany Lions also leapfrogged No. 9 Clemson, despite the ACC powerhouse winning both matches last week, while former No. 9 Texas A&M started its season 0-2. Strong starts from Michigan (No. 18) and Rutgers (No. 22) gave the Big Ten three entrants into this week’s poll.

Penn State only has one match this week. Erica Dambach’s squad will host Hofstra on Sunday, August 29 at 5 p.m. on BTN+. The match is part of a doubleheader, as the Penn State men’s soccer team will face Syracuse right after at 7 p.m.