ROSEMONT, Il.- After a historic 2021 season, the Nittany Lions begin the 2022 season ranked first in the conference. Penn State won the Big Ten regular season and tournament title for the first time in program history.
The Nittany Lions finished the season with a 13-7-1 overall, 6-2 conference record. They made their 35thNCAA Tournament appearance when they hosted Hofstra in the second round seeded 12th overall. Last year's appearance marked the third-straight tournament trip for the team for the first time since 1993-1995.
Three Penn State players were selected to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List. Seth Kuhn, Peter Mangione and Femi Awodesu were all selected.
PETER MANGIONE | JUNIOR | FORWARD
Mangione lands on the Big Ten Preseason Watch List for the second year in a row after a sophomore season filled with accomplishments. He was named the 2021 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year with his seven goals and four assists on the season. The Maryland native had his second consecutive season with double-digit points (18) and led the team in game winning goals (4). He earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and All-Big Ten First Team. Mangione also garnered first team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches.
SETH KUHN | GRADUATE STUDENT | MIDFIELDER
Kuhn finished his senior season with five goals including two in the Big Ten Tournament after which he was named Offensive Player of the Tournament. He was named to All-Big Ten Second Team and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Kuhn garnered second team All-North Region and first team Scholar All-East Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches. The midfielder was drafted 73rd overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
FEMI AWODESU | JUNIOR | DEFENDER
Rising junior Awodesu played and started in 19 games for the Nittany Lions last season. He contributed to all eight shutouts and scored two goals with one assist to total five points on the season. Awodesu collected 1,589 total minutes played on defense last year.