Soccer

Bella Ayscue Secures NSCAA Defenders to Watch Spotlight for Second Year Running

Penn State’s defensive stalwart continues to shine after a 2024 season that blended gritty defending with unexpected offensive spark

Defensive Excellence Recognized

Bella Ayscue’s name reappeared on the NSCAA Defenders to Watch list for 2025, marking the second straight year a Penn State player has earned the distinction after Kaelyn Wolfe’s earlier nod.

The honor follows a 2024 campaign in which Ayscue appeared in every one of Penn State’s 21 matches, a durability that helped the team limit opponents to just 2.4 goals per game while posting a .096 shooting percentage against.

Her impact extended beyond the backline; she contributed two goals and an assist, amassing five points and topping the squad with a .571 shots‑on‑goal rate among players who took multiple attempts.

Teammates in the Trenches

Ayscue operated alongside a disciplined defensive cohort that included Hailey Baumann, Kiara Gilmore and Maya Loudd, each of whom helped shape a unit that consistently frustrated opposing attacks.

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