Niall Lepper
Encyclopedia
Niall Lepper is a former Scottish international soccer player who competed for the Under 18 Scottish national team before playing NCAA Division I soccer, first for a year at Mount Saint Mary's (1999) before transferring for his final three seasons at Loyola College in Maryland
(2000-2002). Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Lepper was drafted in the first round and signed by the Baltimore Blast
of the NISL
(then MISL
), but quickly withdrew from the indoor game and returned to Loyola to pursue his MBA and serve as the Greyhounds'
assistant coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Arguably considered to be the best senior central defender in college following the 2002 season, Lepper was mentioned as a possible first or second round draft pick of several MLS
teams but due to strict foreign-born player rules that were then in effect, was never selected.
to play at Mount Saint Mary's University
in 1999 and made an immediate impact, being named as the Conference Rookie of the Year.
Following the 1999 season, Mettrick was hired as the new coach for the Loyola Greyhounds
and Lepper - eager for the opportunity to join a superior squad and follow Mettrick - joined Loyola as well and was a dominating force there for the next three seasons. As one of Loyola's most important players, he helped lead the team to national rankings from 2000 to 2002, earning NCAA Division I Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2002 that included reaching the Round of 16 in 2001. Lepper was named First Team All-Conference during all three seasons, and twice was named the MAAC Player of the Year (2001 and 2002). Additionally, Lepper was named to the NSCAA South Atlantic All-Region team three times and was a two-time CollegeSoccerNews.com All-America selection (Third Team in 2001 and HM in 2002), quite a feat considering the tendency to ignore players from traditionally smaller schools and select those from schools that are perennial national powerhouses.
Loyola College in Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a Roman Catholic, Jesuit private university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established as Loyola College in Maryland by John Early and eight other members of the Society of Jesus in 1852, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges...
(2000-2002). Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Lepper was drafted in the first round and signed by the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (current)
Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of the NISL
National Indoor Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League , formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League...
(then MISL
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
), but quickly withdrew from the indoor game and returned to Loyola to pursue his MBA and serve as the Greyhounds'
Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer
The Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds are a men's soccer team representing Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference...
assistant coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Arguably considered to be the best senior central defender in college following the 2002 season, Lepper was mentioned as a possible first or second round draft pick of several MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
teams but due to strict foreign-born player rules that were then in effect, was never selected.
Youth
Lepper gained notoriety for his play in the Scottish youth system as a rugged, powerful defender, earning him a place on the U-18 Scottish national team. He was a constant presence there until 1999, when he decided to take his game to the United States.College
Lepper was recruited by coach Mark MettrickMark Mettrick
Mark Mettrick is a former English-American soccer midfielder who played four seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League and three in the USISL. He is currently the head coach of the Loyola University Maryland men's soccer team....
to play at Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount St. Mary's University, also known as The Mount, is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university in the Catoctin Mountains near Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was founded by French émigré Father John DuBois in 1808 and is the oldest independent Catholic college in the United States...
in 1999 and made an immediate impact, being named as the Conference Rookie of the Year.
Following the 1999 season, Mettrick was hired as the new coach for the Loyola Greyhounds
Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer
The Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds are a men's soccer team representing Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference...
and Lepper - eager for the opportunity to join a superior squad and follow Mettrick - joined Loyola as well and was a dominating force there for the next three seasons. As one of Loyola's most important players, he helped lead the team to national rankings from 2000 to 2002, earning NCAA Division I Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2002 that included reaching the Round of 16 in 2001. Lepper was named First Team All-Conference during all three seasons, and twice was named the MAAC Player of the Year (2001 and 2002). Additionally, Lepper was named to the NSCAA South Atlantic All-Region team three times and was a two-time CollegeSoccerNews.com All-America selection (Third Team in 2001 and HM in 2002), quite a feat considering the tendency to ignore players from traditionally smaller schools and select those from schools that are perennial national powerhouses.