Former Wingate Star Mulholland Named USL Pro League Rookie of the Year

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Former Wingate All-American soccer standout Luke Mulholland ('11, Preston, England) is the 2011 USL PRO League Rookie of the Year, league officials announced. In addition, he was named to the 2011 USL PRO All-League first team.

Mulholland concluded the 2011 season with nine goals and five assists. He helped the Hammerheads compile the second-best record in the league at 14-7-3 overall. Mulholland was the only player not affiliated with the Orlando City Lions to win a post-season award, as selected by league coaches and managers.

As a Wingate senior, Mulholland was named to the 2010 Daktronics NCAA Division II honorable mention All-America team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Mulholland earned All-America honors three times in his illustrious career. In 2009, Mulholland was named to the Daktronics men's soccer All-American first team. He was the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year the same season. The previous year, Mulholland earned NSCAA/adidas All-America third team laurels.

Last November, Mulholland was named to the Daktronics All-Southeast Region team for the third time in his Bulldog career. In 2010, he led Wingate with his 0.50 assists per match. Mulholland was second in the SAC and 14th in the NCAA Division II in the same category. His unselfish play helped Wingate lead the SAC and chart in the number 10 spot nationally in scoring offense (2.60 goals per match).

A four-year All-SAC performer, Mulholland assisted on Wingate's last three game-winning overtime goals of the 2010 season. His 100 points is the 13th highest total in SAC history. Mulholland's career totals include 37 goals and 26 assists.

During his tenure, Mulholland led the Bulldogs to a 56-21-4 overall record. Wingate qualified for the NCAA Division II play-offs three times (2007, 2009 and 2010); the Bulldogs won the SAC regular season championship in 2010.