ROSEMONT, Ill.- Fifth-year forward Liam Butts garners Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after a three-goal performance in Penn State's shutout win in its Big Ten opener on Friday, Sept. 15. This is Butts' third time earning the nod throughout his career and is also the fourth weekly conference award of the season for the Nittany Lions. He also reveived national attention, earning a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
The Lawrenceville, Ga. native's standout performance against the Buckeyes on the road earned him the conference spotlight this week. His three goals, all unassisted, marked the first hat trick of a Penn State player since Peter Mangione's three goal outing against Villanova in 2021. The hat trick is also only the second this season by a Big Ten player and first in a conference matchup.
Butts moves his career goal total to 25 with his first goals of the 2023 campaign. The forward finished the 2022 season with seven goals, earning second team All-Big Ten. Butts was drafted in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft 33rdoverall by the San Jose Earthquakes and decided to return to Happy Valley for his final year of eligibility.
The Nittany Lions are back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 19 in their Big Ten home opener and Mack Brady Match when they host Maryland at Jeffrey Field. Kick off for the rivalry game is set for 6 p.m. and will be nationally televised on the Big Ten Network.
