Natalie Jacobs could not believe the news when she heard it.

Before Tuesday's practice, the senior Penn State defender had no idea that she had been named to the watch list for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, given to the top collegiate soccer player in the nation.

"What? Really?" a clearly excited Jacobs said. "I don't think so."

Jacobs, however, is indeed on the list, joining two teammates -- forward Tiffany Weimer and goalkeeper Erin McLeod -- in the running for the award.

Penn State is only one of three schools to have three athletes represented on the list.

The Nittany Lions are in good company, too, with the others being perennial soccer power North Carolina and last year's national champion, Notre Dame.

"They have some talent there for sure," Texas coach Chris Petrucelli said of Penn State. "They have a number of quality players."

And Petrucelli can certainly recognize talent. He has served as the coach of the U.S. Under-21 Women's National Team and coached Notre Dame to the 1995 national championship.

Of the three, Weimer has the best chance to bring home the Hermann, since the award is typically geared toward offensive players. Since women's athletes began receiving the award in 1988, only one defender, North Carolina's Catherine Reddick in 2003, has won the award.

Weimer scored 26 goals last year, tops in the nation, and has already scored four in two games this year. Weimer also finished second in the Hermann voting last year behind Portland's Christine Sinclair.

"She's got an unbelievable amount of talent," Petrucelli said of Weimer. "The kid's as skillful as any athlete in college soccer."

To Penn State, though, the distinction of having three athletes on the list reflects more upon the team than just the three individuals.

"Nobody gets [on the list] on their own," Jacobs said. "It just shows a lot for our program and the ability that we have."

Fifth-year coach Paula Wilkins agrees.

"The supporting cast that we have is great and should be recognized because they helped get those three recognized," she said, adding that the honor shows a high level of respect for Penn State's program.

The Lions are beginning to build a history with the prestigious Hermann Trophy. Christie Welsh was a two-time runner-up for the award in 2000 and 2002 and won the award in 2001.

Joanna Lohman was also a runner-up in 2003. Welsh is the only former member of the women's program to have finished atop the balloting.

Jim Stamatis received the honor in 1979 for the men's team.

Welsh hopes that the trio can avoid any pressure during the season to win the coveted trophy.

Because even if they don't capture the sport's highest honor, they're still integral to the team's success.

Welsh, who is training with the team for the 2007 World Cup, believes the honor bodes well for the Blue and White, saying she is happy that more and more athletes from different schools are beginning to be recognized.

And while it's an honor for Jacobs, Weimer and McLeod to be on the list, co-captain Ali Krieger said it's just as much an honor to play with the talented core of veterans.

"You feel so special to ... go out on the field with them," Krieger said. "[They are] winners or runners-up for the most talented player in the nation. That's just a great thing to have on your team. It's awesome for them, and I hope to be a part of it."

And playing with such esteemed talent, Krieger and company could indeed be putting together the pieces of something special.

Whether they all know it or not.