Ben Lundgaard

Benjamin Lundgaard (born September 2, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Championship club Atlanta United 2. He previously appeared at the semi-professional level for Fresno Fuego and New York Red Bulls U-23 and spent time with Columbus Crew SC, Indy Eleven, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at the professional level.

Ben Lundgaard
Lundgaard with Columbus in 2018
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Lundgaard
Date of birth (1995-09-02) September 2, 1995
Place of birth Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Atlanta United 2
Number 1
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Virginia Tech Hokies 70 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 Fresno Fuego 1 (0)
2017 New York Red Bulls U-23 13 (0)
2018–2019 Columbus Crew SC 0 (0)
2018 → Indy Eleven (loan) 0 (0)
2019 → Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (loan) 4 (0)
2020– Atlanta United 2 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of March 8, 2020

Lundgaard grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, winning three state titles at the Salesianum School and playing club soccer with the Delaware Rush. He played collegiately for four seasons at Virginia Tech, leading the Hokies to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time in nine years as a junior and earning a first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference nod as a senior. Lundgaard was drafted by Columbus Crew SC in the first round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft but never made an appearance for the club, spending time on loan at Indy Eleven and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He joined Atlanta United 2 ahead of the 2020 season.

Early life

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Lundgaard attended the Salesianum School in Wilmington. He was a three-year varsity letterman and a team captain as a senior, winning the DIAA Division I state championship[1] and finishing nationally ranked in each of his seasons on varsity. As a senior, Lundgaard conceded just two goals while keeping 15 shoutouts in 17 matches.[2] He was selected to play in the 2013 High School All-American Game, where he was named MVP.[3]

Lundgaard played club soccer with Delaware Rush. Ahead of his senior season, he committed to play collegiately at Virginia Tech.[4]

College and amateur

Lundgaard stepped straight into the starting lineup for the Hokies, making his debut on August 29, 2014 in a 1–0 overtime victory against SIU Edwardsville.[5] Although he split time with three other goalkeepers, primarily senior Ben Lockler, Lundgaard made 12 appearances across his freshman season. He kept six shutouts and was responsible for five of Virginia Tech's nine victories on the year.[2] As a sophomore, Lundgaard cemented his spot as the team's starting goalkeeper. He posted three shutouts in 16 appearances, capped by an October 16 match against nationally ranked Notre Dame. Lundgaard made two saves in that game, holding the Fighting Irish to a scoreless draw.[6]

Lundgaard kept eight shutouts in 22 appearances as a junior, both career-highs, and led the Hokies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. In the third round of the tournament, he made nine saves to help Virginia Tech defeat Indiana by a 2–1 scoreline,[2] although the Hokies would fall in the next round to Wake Forest. He was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Third Team at the end of the year.[7] Lundgaard was named as a team captain as a senior, going on to play all but eight minutes on the season ahead of Morten Lamps. He was instrumental in a victory against No. 1 Notre Dame on September 22, facing 23 shots and making 10 saves as the Hokies claimed a 2–1 victory; his 10 saves were a career-high.[8][9] Lundgaard allowed 34 goals on the season, but kept six clean sheets in 20 appearances and was named First Team All-ACC.[10] He appeared in 70 matches during his time at Virginia Tech, with his 23 career shutouts ranking second in school history, only behind Chase Harrison.[11]

Fresno Fuego

Following his sophomore season at Virginia Tech, Lundgaard played in the Premier Development League with Fresno Fuego. He made his lone appearance for the club on June 4, 2016, playing 45 minutes in a 1–0 victory against Southern California Seahorses.[12]

New York Red Bulls U-23

Lundgaard returned to the PDL following his junior season at Virginia Tech, playing for New York Red Bulls U-23. He was immediately installed as the club's starting goalkeeper, making his debut in a 3–2 victory against Reading United on May 20, 2017.[13] He appeared in 13 regular season games for the U-23s, conceding just 10 goals and helping the club to the PDL regular season title. Lundgaard started the Eastern Conference play-in game, but conceded a season-high four goals as the U-23s were eliminated by Long Island Rough Riders.[14] He appeared 14 times and was named as the 2017 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.[15]

Club career

Columbus Crew SC

2018 – Loan to Indy

Lundgaard was one of five goalkeepers selected to participate in the 2018 MLS Combine and one of two Virginia Tech players, along with Marcelo Acuna.[16] Columbus Crew SC drafted Lundgaard with the 21st overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, the first time that the club had ever selected a goalkeeper in the first round.[17] After taking part in preseason, he signed for Crew SC on March 1, 2018.[18] Less than a week later, Lundgaard was sent to United Soccer League club Indy Eleven on a season-long loan. He became the third goalkeeper to join Indy during the offseason, along with Jordan Farr and fellow loanee Owain Fôn Williams.[19] After serving as the backup goalkeeper in each of the club's first two matches, Lundgaard returned to Columbus on April 4 to undergo surgery for an injured ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb.[20] He returned to full health in mid-June, but was unable to crack the starting lineup ahead of Fôn Williams; Lundgaard was an unused substitute 23 times on the year. He returned to Columbus at the end of the season without appearing in a match for the Eleven.[21] On December 9, Lundgaard had his contract option picked up by the Crew.[22]

2019 – Loan to Pittsburgh

For the second consecutive season, Lundgaard was sent on loan by Columbus, this time joining USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Although he had been with the Hounds in preseason camp, the move wasn't made official until March 6, 2019, with the loan lasting for the duration of the 2019 USL Championship season.[23][24] Lundgaard made his club and professional debut on March 23, starting at Children's Mercy Park as the Riverhounds drew 2–2 with Swope Park Rangers.[25] He appeared in four of the club's first six matches of the season, keeping two clean sheets, but fell out of the lineup behind Kyle Morton and midseason arrival Austin Pack.[26] Lundgaard suffered a back injury in late April, necessitating the signing of Pack, and was unable to return to the Pittsburgh lineup after returning to full health.[27][28] He was recalled by the Crew on June 21 to provide cover after Zack Steffen completed a move to Europe.[29] Following the end of the Crew's season, Lundgaard was officially loaned back to Pittsburgh, but did not train with the Hounds, remaining on the Pittsburgh roster for the playoffs only in case of an injury to Morton or Pack.[30] On October 21, Lundgaard had his contract option declined by Columbus, ending his two-year affiliation with the club.[31]

Atlanta United 2

On January 27, 2020, Lundgaard signed for USL Championship club Atlanta United 2.[32]

Personal life

Lundgaard's brother, Peter, played collegiate soccer at York College of Pennsylvania, while his father, Per, competed for the University of Wyoming in swimming and water polo.[2] Ben Lundgaard majored in public relations while at Virginia Tech.[2]

Career statistics
As of March 8, 2020[14][21][33]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fresno Fuego 2016 PDL 10––0010
New York Red Bulls U-23 2017 PDL 130––1[lower-alpha 1]0140
Columbus Crew SC 2018 MLS 0000–0000
2019 0000––00
Total 0000000000
Indy Eleven (loan) 2018 USL 0000–0000
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (loan) 2019 USL Championship 4000–0040
Atlanta United 2 2020 USL Championship 10––0010
Career total 190000010200
  1. Appearance in the PDL playoffs

Honors

Club
Fresno Fuego
New York Red Bulls U-23[35]
  • Premier Development League (regular season): 2017
  • Mid Atlantic Division: 2017

Individual

References
  1. "DSSAA/DIAA State Champions – Fall Sports" (PDF). DoE.k12.de.us. Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  2. "Ben Lundgaard – Virginia Tech profile". HokieSports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  3. "2013 High School Soccer All-American Games". HighSchoolSoccerAllAmerican.com. High School Soccer All American Game. December 14, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  4. "Prep Notes: Delaware Stadium to host Red Clay football display". USATodayHSS.com. USA Today. September 11, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2018. Goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard and Dylan Huber have committed to Virginia Tech...
  5. SIUE Sports Information (August 29, 2014). "Men's soccer: Virginia Tech edges SIUE in overtime". MetroIndependent.com. The Metro Independent. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  6. "Virginia Tech 0–0 #7 Notre Dame (2OT)". HokieSports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. October 16, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  7. TopDrawerSoccer (December 15, 2016). "2016 TDS Men's Division I Best XI teams". TopDrawerSoccer.com. TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  8. "In the region: Virginia Tech men's soccer upsets No. 1 Notre Dame". Roanoke.com. The Roanoke Times. September 22, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  9. "Virginia Tech takes down top-ranked Notre Dame". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. September 23, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  10. "ACC Announces 2017 Men's Soccer Award Winners". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. November 8, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  11. "Virginia Tech Men's Soccer Program History and Records" (PDF). HokieSports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. April 18, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  12. "Ben Lundgaard – Fresno Fuego profile". FresnoFuego.com. Fresno Fuego. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  13. Fido, Austin (May 21, 2017). "New York Red Bulls U-23s beat Reading United, 3-2, in PDL 2017 opener". OnceAMetro.com. SB Nation. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  14. "Ben Lundgaard at USL League Two". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  15. Berman, Mark (November 12, 2017). "Marcelo Acuna, Ben Lundgaard make their mark on Virginia Tech soccer". Roanoke.com. The Roanoke Times. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  16. Kennedy, Paul (December 21, 2017). "Stanford captains among 60 players invited to MLS Combine". SoccerAmerica.com. Soccer America. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  17. Johnson, Collin (January 19, 2018). "Columbus Crew SC select goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard with the 21st overall pick". MassiveReport.com. SB Nation. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  18. Crew SC Communications (March 1, 2018). "Crew SC signs 2018 MLS SuperDraft selections Ben Lundgaard & Luis Argudo". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  19. IndyEleven.com (March 7, 2018). "Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard joins Indy Eleven on loan for the 2018 season". IndyEleven.com. Indy Eleven. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  20. IndyEleven.com (April 5, 2018). "Indy Eleven goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard undergoes successful surgery for thumb injury". IndyEleven.com. Indy Eleven. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  21. Ben Lundgaard at Soccerway
  22. Crew SC Communications (November 26, 2018). "Columbus Crew SC exercises options on contracts of eight players ahead of 2019". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  23. Kriger, Rachael (March 6, 2019). "Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC acquire goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard on loan". PittsburghSportsCastle.com. Pittsburgh Sports Castle. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  24. Riverhounds staff (March 6, 2019). "Hounds acquire goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard via loan from Columbus Crew SC". Riverhounds.com. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  25. Homistek, Hunter (March 23, 2019). "Roller-coaster Hounds earn first point of 2019". DKPittsburghSports.com. Dejan Kovacevic Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  26. Picardi, Anthony (April 27, 2019). "Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs Nashville SC game notes" (PDF) (Press release). Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  27. Krysinsky, John (April 29, 2019). "PITvNSH Takeaways & Player Grades: James, subs fuel frantic comeback". PittsburghSoccerNow.com. Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved January 23, 2020. “Ben had a bit of a tight back, so it wasn’t anything more than that. They both need to be ready. We did have Ben originally scheduled, you know he tweaked his back and we made the decision yesterday that we would go with Kyle.”
  28. Krysinsky, John (May 3, 2019). "Riverhounds SC Notebook: Pack signed; injuries test roster depth". PittsburghSoccerNow.com. Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved January 23, 2020. In an important move with one goalkeeper already injured, and needing depth for the rigors of the season along with impending U.S. Open Cup play, the Riverhounds signed goalkeeper Austin Pack...
  29. @_Pat_Murphy (June 21, 2019). "Goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard is back with #Crew96 today. He was on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds most of this season" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. Asher Goodman, Mark (October 18, 2019). "Riverhounds SC Notebook: Last regular-season game might be critical … or irrelevant". PittsburghSoccerNow.com. Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  31. Crew SC Communications (October 21, 2019). "Columbus Crew SC announces roster updates ahead of 2020 season". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  32. Atlanta United communications (January 27, 2020). "Atlanta United 2 signs Ben Lundgaard". ATLUTD.com. Atlanta United 2. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  33. Ben Lundgaard at Major League Soccer
  34. Moreno, Angel (February 10, 2017). "Fresno Fuego announce schedule for 2017 PDL season". FresnoBee.com. The Fresno Bee. Retrieved January 21, 2019. The Fuego are coming off a 10-3-1 season that saw them win the Central Pacific Division crown.
  35. Fido, Austin (July 16, 2017). "New York Red Bulls U-23s clinch Mid Atlantic Division title in PDL 2017". OnceAMetro.com. SB Nation. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
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