Penn State women’s soccer players Bella Ayscue and Kaelyn Wolfe were named on the United Soccer Coaches Defenders to Watch list on Tuesday.

This marks the Nittany Lions’ first preseason accolades this season after reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last year. The defenders most recently represented the U.S. Women’s Youth National teams at the U19 and U20 levels in the offseason.

Ayscue was a crucial part of Penn State’s success in her freshman campaign, appearing in all 25 matches. She finished with one goal, five assists, and 11 shutouts on the backline.

Wolfe has a strong sophomore season, appearing in 24 matches with a career-high seven starts. She recorded her first collegiate goal along with an assist to finish with three points. The outside back played 1,102 minutes last season, and added another 658 from her freshman year as an instrumental role in Penn State’s dominant defensive line.

Penn State reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the second year in a row, recorded the longest consecutive Sweet 16 appearances at eight straight, and secured its 30th consecutive NCAA tournament bid. The team also had its 31st consecutive season with 10 or more victories.

The Nittany Lions will open their season at 7 p.m. on August 14 at Duke.