Penn State Men's Soccer claims nine Postseason Awards

The 2023 Big Ten Postseason Awards were announced on Friday, and Penn State cleaned house, claiming nine different accolades.

Senior midfielder and co-captain Peter Mangione claimed his second career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award. Mangione led the Big Ten in goals (nine), points (22) and game-winning goals (five) while adding four assists.

The Maryland native also got named to the All-Big Ten first team, one of three players to be named unanimously.

Senior defender and co-captain Femi Awodesu was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the first time a Nittany Lion has claimed the award. Awodesu helped lead a Penn State backline that surrendered just 12 goals in 16 games.

The Pennsylvania native was quite involved offensively as well, finishing tied for second on the Nittany Lions with three goals and third in points with six.

Awodesu also got named to the All-Big Ten first team, joining his teammate Mangione as one of three players to be named unanimously.

Kris Shakes earned the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Award following another superb campaign. The fifth-year tied for the Big Ten lead in clean sheets with seven and finished second in saves (51), save percentage (.811) and goals against average (.759).

Shakes became the first Penn State goalkeeper to claim the award since Andrew Wolverton in 2013.

The Florida native also got named to the All-Big Ten first team, joining his teammates Mangione and Awodesu.

Head coach Jeff Cook was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time in his career at the helm for the blue and white. Cook led the Nittany Lions to a 9-3-4 record and a share of the Big Ten championship.

Freshman midfielder Caden Grabfelder was named unanimously to the All-Freshman team, one of four players to earn unanimous status. Grabfelder finished tied for second on the Nittany Lions with three goals, two assists and eight points.

Sophomore defender Samuel Ovesen wrapped up the awards for the blue and white, claiming a spot on the sportsmanship team.

Next up for the Nittany Lions is the start of the Big Ten Tournament, as they will host Rutgers at Jeffrey Field on Friday, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.