Chattanooga FC forward Luke Winter has been selected as the 15th and final Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2016 NPSL season.
The English striker continued his prolific play-making for Chattanooga this week, scoring game-winners against both the Knoxville Force and Memphis City FC. He had five game-winning goals during 2016 and is the current record holder for most goals by an NPSL player in the U.S. Open Cup.
“Luke is a special player with an incredible ability to score goals,” Chattanooga FC General Manager Sean McDaniel commented. “He’s a veteran of CFC, and certainly a fan favorite with the Chattahooligans. We’re excited for Luke to receive this honor from the league.”
Winter is in his sixth season with Chattanooga FC and is the longest-tenured player on the team. Winter has collected a plethora of awards during his time in Chattanooga.
The Norwich, England native has earned All-NPSL (2014), U.S. Open Cup Player of the 2nd Round (2014), and NPSL Supporters’ XI (2014-2015) honors. Winter is a USASA National Champion (2015), NPSL Finalist (2012, 2014, 2015), NPSL South Region Champion (2012, 2014, 2015), NPSL Southeast Conference Champion (2012-2015), and Volunteer Shield Champion (2014-2015).
During his time at Tennessee Wesleyan, Winter was an AAC Champion (2012) and AAC MVP (2012) in addition to claiming NAIA All-East Region (2010-2012), All-AAC (2009-2012), and AAC All-Tournament (2012) honors. Winter was ranked #1 in the NAIA for game-winning goals in 2011 and was honored with the TWC Athletic Director’s Award in 2012 for the transformation of the school’s men’s soccer program.
Winter is currently the assistant coach for the Bryan College men’s soccer program. He served as the Shorter University assistant men’s soccer coach during the Hawks’ victorious 2013 season. He is also a proud member of the Schoolhouse FC team in Norwich and has helped them to four consecutive league titles and promotions.
“It’s great to win this individual award, but of course soccer isn’t an individual game,” Winter added. “I have great teammates who put me in goal scoring positions all the time. Honestly I should have scored more. The defenders work hard in each game to keep clean sheets and limit goals, which have allowed the goals us strikers scored to be so meaningful and win games. Overall it was a fantastic effort to play and win four games in eight days.”
The Mitre National Player of the Week is announced every Friday during the regular season. The winner of this national honor is determined by a vote of media members from across the country.
