Delaware native Ben Lundgaard drafted by Columbus Crew

Big Ben is going to Columbus.

Greenville, Delaware native Ben Lundgaard was selected 21st overall in a rare streak of goalkeeper draft picks at the MLS SuperDraft held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday.

The Virginia Tech and New York Red Bulls U23 standout was the fourth goalkeeper chosen in the first round and the third straight keeper picked toward the end of the round.

Butler goalkeeper Eric Dick was selected 13th overall by Sporting Kansas City, New York City FC took Virginia goalkeeper Jefferson Caldwell 19th and Houston Dynamo picked up Michael Nelson out of SMU 20th prior to Lundgaard hearing his name called.

“I’m really excited,” he told the media on Friday. “I’ve watched a little bit, Zack Steffen had a breakout year. I’m ready to get in there and get training, meet all the guys and get going.”

Prior to college, Lundgaard starred at Delaware high school power Salesianum School and for his club team Delaware Rush.

The 22-year-old is the first player from Delaware drafted to Major League Soccer since Claymont native Keasel Broome was drafted 46th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2015. Two Blue Hens went in the draft last year: Spaniard Guillermo Delgado and Frenchman Thomas De Villardi.

The Crew last drafted a player from the First State in the first ever college draft in 1996 when they selected University of South Carolina midfielder Rob Smith with the 20th overall pick.

Lundgaard seeing his professional dream fulfilled capped a banner week for Delaware soccer as 18-year-old Bear, Del. native Mark McKenzie became the second player from the state to sign a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union.