Milligan College Buffaloes

Milligan College, Tenn. (Apr. 17, 2008) --- David Lilly, former Milligan College soccer standout, signed a professional contract last week with the Carolina Railhawks. He accepted a two year contract with the United Soccer Leagues First Division team and was invited into the Railhawks preseason camp which began in the spring.

“I am really excited about signing with Carolina and testing my abilities at the next level,” said Lilly. “I've been working hard to get a chance like this, so I'm eager to get involved as much as I can and prove that I deserve the chance.”

The Scottish native has started in all four of Carolina 's preseason matches to this point, including a match-up with the New York Red Bulls of the MLS. He assisted on one goal and helped create a second on a rebound from his shot versus UNC Greensboro.

While with Milligan, Lilly led a talented team that won the AAC, Region XII, and made an appearance in the national tournament in 2006. In 2005 he posted 33 points on 13 goals and seven assists and bettered that mark in 2006 with 36 points on 15 goals and six assists. Both efforts ranked him in the top 20 nationally in both points per game and goals per game.

“We are very excited for David,” said Milligan head coach Adam Laney. “He is a committed and talented individual and a good example of the excellence Milligan hopes to produce in every student-athlete in our program. We know he will continue to make us proud and open opportunities for the guys behind him.”

After Lilly's career as a Buffalo, he played with Brilla FC in the USL Professional Development League during the summer of 2007 and then returned to Milligan to serve as an assistant coach.

“I obviously owe a lot to Milligan for this because the improvements I've made from a freshman have been massive,” said Lilly. “My experience at Milligan is a major reason behind me signing my first professional contract and I'm excited to see what paths that this will lead me down.”

The Carolina Railhawks compete in the USL First Division. The USL (United Soccer Leagues) is comprised of several amateur (PDL) and youth leagues and two professional (First Division and Second Division). The USL I is the highest league in the country outside of the MLS.