ROSEMONT, Ill.- The Big Ten announced its postseason awards this Friday, Nov. 4 with Penn State securing seven selections. Peter Mangione and Seth Kuhn were named to first team All-Big Ten, Liam Butts and Femi Awodesu were honored on second team All-Big Ten, and Matthew Henderson and Ben Liscum were named to the All-Freshman team.
Ben Liscum also received Penn State's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
FIRST TEAM
In a unanimous vote, junior forward Mangione secures his second, first team All-Big Ten selection for the second straight season. He leads the Nittany Lions in scoring this season with eight goals which ties him for second in the Big Ten. Mangione was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 6 for his two goals against no. 18 West Virginia and one against George Mason.
Kuhn garners his first, first team All-Big Ten selection but third total conference postseason honor. He was named to second team All-Big Ten in back-to-back seasons his sophomore and junior season. Kuhn returned to the Nittany Lions as a graduate student this season after playing a major role for the team last year and being selected as the 73rd overall pick for the New York Red Bulls in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. The Pennsylvania native has played a key part in the midfield this season for Penn State, bringing composure and veteran status. He has started in all 15 games and notched four assists.
SECOND TEAM
Senior forward Butts earns his third career Big Ten honor with his second team selection this year. His freshman year, he was named to first team All-Big Ten as well as Big Ten All-Freshman Team, leading the Nittany Lions offense in 2019. Butts has made significant contributions this season on offense. He has scored seven goals, including three game-winning goals which ranks at the top of the conference. After returning from injury in the middle of the season, he went on a three-game scoring streak, scoring four goals in three games.
Junior defender Femi Awodesu earns his first Big Ten postseason honor after being selected to the preseason Watch List. Awodesu has been a key piece to the Nittany Lions defense since his freshmen season starting and playing in nearly every game during his Penn State career. He has contributed to 13 shutouts in his time in the back line.
ALL_FRESHMAN
Redshirt-freshman Ben Liscum had an impactful first season on offense, garnering a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman squad. He has played in 14 games and started in nine, with one goal and one assist. His hard work on and off the field also earned him Penn State's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award this year.
True freshman defender Henderson has been a constant on the Nittany Lions back line. He has played in 12 games and started in 11. He has contributed to both shutouts the season. The Scotland native has notched three assists against two conference opponents and one nationally ranked opponent.
The Nittany Lions look to add to their success in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at Indiana today, Nov. 4 at 7:00 p.m.
