FORMER Morton striker Lewis Hawke is living the American dream after finishing top goalscorer and lifting silverware with the same college team where ex-Fulham star Clint Dempsey started his career.

Hawke left Cappielow in February last year to join Annan Athletic for a short spell before embarking on a US soccer scholarship at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

And the 21-year-old, son of former Ton favourite Warren, ended the season as Furman’s top scorer with nine goals, including a diving header in a 1-0 win over Mercer to seal their first Southern Conference Championship title since 2007.

The goal also earned his side qualification for the season-ending national NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years.

Hawke junior, as he was known during his time in Greenock, made nine substitute appearances in Allan Moore’s Morton first team.

He netted twice, one of which was a last-gasp winner in a narrow victory over Cowdenbeath.

However, a lack of first team opportunities and the lure of plying his trade Stateside saw the youngster depart Cappielow and opt for a scholarship, along with the chance to earn a degree thanks to Glasgow-based company FirstPoint USA.

The move is already paying dividends with Hawke topping the goalscoring chart, winning the league title and selected to the All-Conference team. He may also be included in some of the regional and national squads once they are announced in the upcoming weeks.

Hawke told the Tele: “It’s been an absolutely brilliant season for me but more so for the team, with winning the Southern Conference – a great achievement for everyone involved.

“Overall, the experience of studying and playing in the US has so far been fantastic.

“The best thing is the overall structure with classes scheduled around practice and vice versa, which helps you give your very best, both academically and on the football pitch.

“The standard of football has also been a pleasant surprise and obviously we’ve enjoyed some great moments this season.

“I’m just looking forward to continuing to work hard both on and off the pitch and helping Furman enjoy even more success next season.” Dad Warren, who is still involved with Morton as club development officer, is delighted with the progress his son is making across the pond.

He said: “Lewis is really enjoying the experience of Furman and it’s great to see him do so well. The education is exceptional and the campus and sports facilities are absolutely stunning too. As a parent it’s very reassuring to know he’s being so well looked after and it’s proving to be an excellent decision by Lewis to study and play football in the States.” Lewis earned his place at Furman thanks to Morton fan and ex-footballer Andrew Kean, who runs FirstPoint USA — a company which specialises in sports management, scholarship placement and the American university admissions process.

Hawke is following in the footsteps of ex-Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur ace and current US national team captain Clint Dempsey, who played for Furman from 2001-03.

Andrew said: “Lewis has performed brilliantly since his arrival at Furman, particularly this year, and is a great example of what can be achieved both in terms of academic and sporting ambitions.

“To see him score that winner against Mercer gave everyone at FirstPoint USA a real sense of pride and with Clint Dempsey already proving that Furman is a great place to start your career, we’re all looking forward to Lewis going on to achieve even bigger and better things.” To find out more about FirstPoint USA visit www.firstpointusa.com