Brandon Hackenberg Season 2021

CAREER NOTES & RECORDS
Career: Played in 79 career games for Nittany Lions in six seasons, starting 71 on backline...Contributed to 23 shutouts...Drafted 22nd overall by Orlando City SC in the first round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Season: 2021: Named First Team All-Big Ten for third-straight season, the program's first three-time first-team honoree since Connor Maloney (2014-16) and the first three-time honoree at the defender position...Garnered second team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches, the third-straight season with all-region honors. 2020-21: Earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for second-straight season...Garnered first-team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches...Named First-Team Scholar All-American by United Soccer Coaches. 2019: Earned first-team All-Big Ten plaudits…Earned third-team All-North Region honors from United Soccer Coaches…Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 24 after helping goalkeeper Josh Levine fend off 16 shots in the win over Ohio State, only allowing one goal and no shots in the overtime period. 

2020-21 • REDSHIRT SENIOR+ SEASON
Awards: Named First Team All-Big Ten for third-straight season…Became program’s first three-time first-team honoree since Connor Maloney (2014-16) and the first three-time honoree at the defender position…Garnered second team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches…Named top-30 candidate for 2021 Senior CLASS Award for second-straight season…Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for fifth time.

Season: Used extra year of eligibility granted by NCAA due to COVID-19 pandemic to return in 2021 for sixth season in program…Played and started all 21 games as a veteran leader on the backline…Contributed to all eight shutouts on the season, including four-straight to capture program’s first Big Ten “double”…Was team captain for second season with Pierre Reedy…Considered as top-100 upperclassmen (No. 64) by Top Drawer Soccer…Led team with 1,884 minutes played, missing only four total minutes of action all season.

Syracuse (8/29): Anchored backline to Nittany Lions’ first victory and shutout of season…Recorded season-high three shots with one on goal. Villanova (9/21): Helped limit Wildcats to two shots on goal in dominate 4-0 victory. at Michigan State (10/1): Contributed to last-minute shutout road win over Spartans. at No. 22 Rutgers: Played full 90 minutes in Nittany Lions’ second-straight road shutout to stay undefeated in conference play. Michigan (10/10): Made heroic save off goal line in 82nd minute as Wolverines attempted furious comeback with a man-down. No. 7 Maryland (10/26): Helped limit ranked Terrapins squad to two second-half shots en route to Nittany Lions’ 3-2 overtime comeback victory to snap three-game losing streak…Took one shot. at Wisconsin (10/31): Helped shutdown Badgers with no shots on goal to lead Penn State to first Big Ten Regular Season title since 2013…Took one shot. Michigan State (11/7): Contributed to backlines’ second-straight shutout and sixth of season in quarterfinals of Big Ten Tournament. Michigan (11/10): Limited Wolverines’ second-half offensive push for shutout to advance to second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title game. No. 17 Indiana (11/14): Captained and anchored backline during dominate 3-0 victory over Hoosiers in Big Ten Tournament championship match…Recorded Nittany Lions’ fourth-straight shutout en route to team’s first Big Ten “double” in program history.

2020-21 • REDSHIRT SENIOR SEASON
Awards: Earned first-team All-Big Ten honors...Earned United Soccer Coaches first-team All-North Region laurels...Named First Team Scholar All-American by United Soccer Coaches...Named to United Soccer Coaches Scholar-All Region team...Garnered Big Ten preseason accolades...Named top-30 candidate for 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award...Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for fourth-straight season.

Season: Played and started all 13 games as a veteran leader on the backline...Contributed to three consecutive shutouts...Had one assist against Maryland (3/31)...Was team captain with Pierre Reedy...Considered as top-100 upperclassmen (No. 41) by Top Drawer Soccer...Led team with 1,206 minutes played.

No. 21 Maryland (2/19): Played full 90 minutes to lead Nittany Lions to win in first game in 453 days. at Northwestern (3/19): Contributed to team’s first of three-straight shutouts in road overtime win...Took one shot. Ohio State (3/23): Helped backline to second consecutive shutout. Wisconsin (3/27): Played full game in Nittany Lions’ third-straight shutout. at Maryland (3/31): Recorded assist on Peter Mangione’s tying goal in the first half to get Penn State on the board.

2019 • REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON
Awards: Earned first-team All-Big Ten honors…Earned United Soccer Coaches third-team All-North Region honors…Named to United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region team...Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (9/24)…Garnered Big Ten preseason honors…Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for third-straight season...Named 2019-20 Big Ten Distinugished Scholar.

Season: Played and started all but one game on the backline…Was leader on the backline that had six shutouts, including three against Big Ten Conference opponents…Scored one goal against No. 17 Maryland (10/29)…Considered as top-100 upperclassmen (No. 65) by Top Drawer Soccer…Totaled 1,576 minutes on the pitch, third most on team.

at Stony Brook (9/2): Played full 90 minutes in Nittany Lions’ first win of the season. at No. 15 UCF (9/6): Contributed as a defensive force on the backline for 110 minutes in a double-overtime draw. at Stetson (9/8): Played full game in first shutout of the season. Michigan (9/27): Played all 110 minutes of scoreless double overtime draw. at Michigan State (10/1): Contributed 86 minutes as starter on backline in Nittany Lions’ second-consecutive shutout of Big Ten opponent. No. 17 Maryland (10/29): Scored first goal of the season to begin Penn State’s comeback…Recorded season-high three shots in overtime win. No. 21 Providence (11/24): Made NCAA Tournament debut.

2018 • REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON
Awards: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for second-straight season…Named 2018-19 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

Season: Appeared in all 17 matches and made 15 starts…Key member of the Penn State backline that recorded six clean sheets in 2018, including three against Big Ten opponents…Scored first career goal against Detroit Mercy (10/17)…Totaled 1,411 minutes on the pitch, second most on team.

Bowling Green (8/28): Contributed 63 minutes as starter on backline in Nittany Lions’ first shutout and win of season. at Northwestern (10/6): Played all 110 minutes in scoreless double overtime draw…Took one shot. Wisconsin (10/14): Played full game in second-consecutive shutout of Big Ten opponent. Detroit Mercy (10/17): Scored first career goal and first career game-winning goal.

2017 • REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON
Awards: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Season: Appeared in nine games with three starts…Logged 407 minutes on the pitch.

2016 • TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON
Season: Played 22 minutes in his first collegiate game against Oakland (9/5)…Utilized redshirt for rest of season.

Oakland (9/5): Contributed to a 2-1 win with 22 minutes played in his first collegiate game.

PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Played four seasons for Richmond United…Started all 15 games during the 2015 campaign…Attended Fluvanna County High School in Palmyra, Virginia.

PERSONAL
Son of Erick and Nicole Hackenberg…Has three brothers, Christian, Adam and Drue…Brother, Christian, was a three-year starter on the Penn State football team and holds multiple program passing records (2013-15)…Father, Erick, played football at Virginia…Mother, Nicole, played volleyball at Lehigh…Brother, Adam, currently plays baseball at Clemson (2019-current)…Graduated with a degree in communications, with a focus on advertising and public relations in December 2020...Completed graduate certificate in business foundations in December 2021.