Peter Plougmand named National Player of the Year

December 11, 2024

by Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications

Mars Hill senior forward Peter Plougmand was named the 2024 Division II Conference Commissioners of America (D2CCA) Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, as released Tuesday afternoon.

Plougmand was also named a First Team All-American, the first in program history. He is only the second Mars Hill men’s soccer player to be named an All-American (Alex Mullen – 2012 Daktronics).

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support from my teammates, coaches, family, and everyone at Mars Hill University,” Plougmand said. “I am proud to represent Mars Hill and humbled by these honors.”

Plougmand becomes the first men’s soccer National Player of the Year and only the second student-athlete in Mars Hill history to be named a National Player of the Year (Jonas Randolph – Football, 2011). He is just the second player of a South Atlantic Conference institution to be named men’s soccer Ron Lenz National Player of the Year (Leandro Pereira, LMU – 2007; award was created in 2006).

Plougmand continued, “I especially want to thank Coach Munn for his unwavering dedication and the incredible work he has put into helping me grow as a player and elevating this program. His guidance has been invaluable and truly instrumental in shaping my career.”

“The standard bearer for this program over his four years here,” head men’s soccer coach and Director of Soccer Operations Gregg Munn said. “We are extremely proud of these achievements for Peter.”

He was named the D2CCA All-Southeast Region Player of the Year and First Team selection as well as being named the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Player of the Year and First Team selection.

Earlier on Tuesday, December 10, he, along with teammate Nolan McMillen, was named to the College Sports Communicator (CSC) Academic All-America First Team. Also, on the same day, he was named a United Soccer’s Coaches (USC) All-Southeast Region First Team selection.

The senior from Odense, Denmark led Division II with 25 goals scored and a nation-leading 56 points. Scoring over half of the Lions’ goals this season, Plougmand helped return Mars Hill to the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since 2012.

He sent the Lions to the second round of the tournament, capping off a perfect 5-for-5 penalty kick order for the Lions in their opening round win over Conference Carolinas Champions, Francis Marion. In the second round, Plougmand scored Mars Hill’s lone goal against the No. 1 seed Limestone Saints.

Plougmand was a 2022 D2CCA All-Southeast Region First Team selection and a Second Team selection in 2023.

Director of Athletics Rick Baker said, “Peter has had a great career at Mars Hill. I have extremely enjoyed watching him compete. These honors for Peter are well deserved. We are very proud of all of his accomplishments.”

Plougmand erupted for a quartet of goals against Newberry, tying the Mars Hill school record for the second time in his career and had seven total goals in the first four games of the year. He would go on to record hat tricks against Carson-Newman, Emory & Henry, and in the SAC Quarterfinal against Lincoln Memorial. He had seven games with multiple goals on the year and led Mars Hill to the No. 4 seed in the SAC Tournament and a spot in the semifinals.

He is the only player in conference history to be named an Offensive Player of the Week four times in a single season. Plougmand was named the statistical champion in goals per match (1.53) and points per match (3.47), both tops in the nation.

He set career highs in every offensive category and was held scoreless just twice on the year. The team captain had 135 points in 69 games played, with 59 goals in 17 assists.

Throughout his career, Plougmand was named a three-time All-SAC First Team selection, eight-time SAC Player of the Week, three-time USC All-Region selection, and three-time D2CCA All-Southeast Region selection. He was named to the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll every year as well as the Mars Hill University Dean’s List.

“An incredible player and an even better young man who set his standards extremely high from day one,” said Munn.

Plougmand added, “It’s been an incredible journey and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

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The Ron Lenz National Player of the Year award was named for long-time South Dakota State sports information director Ron Lenz in 2008. Lenz was instrumental in the foundation of the NCAA Division II All-America program, which honors outstanding student-athletes across eight NCAA Division II sports.

Sports information directors from NCAA Division II schools and conferences selected the three D2CCA All-America teams. The process begins at the regional level with all first-team all-region picks advancing to the national ballot. A total of 39 student-athletes representing 32 different institutions filled out the three teams. This is the 18th year that the teams have been selected since the All-America program in 2006.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.