For four seniors, the culmination of both a season and a career’s worth of effort was announced in a single moment.

Monday afternoon, ESPN News announced the ISU women’s soccer team will take part in its first-ever NCAA Tournament, getting a chance to play top-seeded and undefeated Portland on Friday morning in Lincoln, Neb.

Screams, applause and laughter rang out from the team 15 minutes into the selection show, as well as congratulations upon the announcement from the entire ISU athletic coaching staff that was assembled in Hunziker Auditorium in the Jacobson Athletic Building.

“The team is so excited,” said senior defender Leslie Hansell. “It just goes to show how all the hard work can pay off. We have put so much work and effort into this season.”

The first-ever berth adds an exclamation to what has already been a historical season for the Cyclones. This season, Iowa State (11-6-3) had already earned its best-ever conference record (6-3-1), conference tournament seed (third) and conference finish (tie for second).

Rebecca Hornbacher, who was named Big 12 coach of the year last week, said making the tournament was a fulfillment of season goals.

“I am so thrilled for our team,” Hornbacher said. “We worked so hard to put ourselves in position for this. We believed all along that if we got better and could come up with some big wins, that we could make the tournament.”

“This is just outstanding, especially for our seniors. They have really put in the hard work and have laid a strong foundation. … We want to go and represent Iowa State in a positive way,” she said.

Amy Flores said she was happy to get the chance to play on a grander stage.

“We have been fighting hard for this all year long. For the four of us especially, this means a lot, because this program has had its ups and downs. But we have fought hard for this team and for each other every time we play,” Flores said.

Iowa State was 20-33-5 in the past three seasons, but has come together for one of the best seasons in the program’s 10-year history.

Hornbacher said she was happy for the seniors – Kristina Baumann, Deb Benakis, Hansell and Flores – got this opportunity.

“This is what all the waking up at 5:30 is all about. The rolling out of bed for strength and conditioning, putting in the extra work when no one is looking in the offseason, taking care of themselves and getting it done in the classroom,” Hornbacher said. “This is where it pays off; this is the payoff. An opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament and bring this program to another level.”

A matchup against Portland (18-0-1), the second-ranked team in the nation, appears to have left the Cyclones undaunted.

Iowa State was one of five teams from the Big 12 to make the tournament, as well as one of 13 teams making their first-ever appearance.

“We are looking forward to it,” Baumann said. “We get a chance to play a great team and see how good they really are.”