It is often said that it takes four years to make a college program your own. Since Eric Alsop took over the men’s soccer program at Limestone College in 2003, he has done exactly that. In his fourth season, the Saints set many new team records and achieved several milestones never before seen on this campus by any other soccer program. In 2006, the Saints (13-3-6 overall/6-2-2 conference) earned their first national ranking, won their first conference tournament championship title, and made their first appearance in the NCAA national tournament. They finished the season ranked 19th in the Nation, won the final CVAC Tournament Championship, made it to the “Sweet Sixteen” in the NCAA Tournament, and were named the 2006 NCAA Division II Most Improved Team in the Nation.

During the 2006 season, the team had unprecedented success on an individual level as well. The team had two CVAC Players of the Week, four players named to the CVAC All-Conference Team, including CVAC Freshman of the Year, and five players named to the CVAC All-Tournament Team, including Tournament MVP. Additionally, the Saints had four players named to the NSCAA/Adidas All-Southeast Region Team and four players named to the NCAA Southeast Regional All-Tournament Team. The Saints also had their first ever NSCAA/Adidas First Team All-American.

Alsop came to Limestone from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a Division II member of the Peach Belt Conference. At UNCP, he served as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program for two seasons while completing his Master of Arts degree in Physical Education. During his tenure at UNCP, Alsop helped the team earn the distinction of being named the 2001 NCAA Division II Most Improved Team in the Nation.

Prior to joining UNCP’s staff, Alsop coached both boys’ and girls’ high school varsity soccer at Forestview (1998-2001) and Ashbrook (1996-1998) in Gaston County, N.C. During his prep coaching career, Alsop had a combined overall record of 102-31-4 (.759) in just seven seasons. He also earned two conference titles and five state playoff bids. For his coaching accomplishments, Alsop was twice named the Southwestern 3A Conference Coach of the Year (1998, 2001).

Originally from Syracuse, N.Y., Alsop played collegiately for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego from 1991-1994, where he was named to the SUNYAC All-Academic Team and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. He holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and coaches the 1991 South Carolina ODP Program. He also serves as the Boys Technical Director for Carolina FC.

Ben Shepherd is entering his third season as Eric Alsop’s lead assistant. The Cornwall, England-native completed an outstanding playing career at Limestone in 2004. He was four-year starter at defense and midfield and three-time team captain for the Saints.

Shepherd will continue to be an important asset to the Saints as a coach. He will serve as the program’s lead assistant, helping with all phases of the program. Shepherd will be able to bring a dual perspective to the recruiting process as both a player in the Limestone system and now as a coach.
Shepherd received many accolades during his playing career, including being named Academic All-CVAC. He was also a finalist for the CVAC Murphy Osborne Award, which is given each year to the athlete determined to have the most outstanding academic achievements.

Shepherd graduated from Limestone in May of 2004 with a double major in psychology and English. He currently holds the Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and assists with the 1991 South Carolina ODP Program.

Rafe Mauran joined the coaching staff in February of 2008, and is entering his first championship season with the Saints as the second assistant and head goalkeeper coach.  With a large focus on the goalkeepers, he will be involved in all parts of the Saints soccer program, including assisting with the coaching of the field players, game-day preparation, recruiting, scouting and travel.

Prior to Limestone, Mauran spent three seasons as the lead assistant coach at Wofford College, helping the Terriers win the most games in the school’s Division I history in 2007.  Not only did he oversee the goalkeepers at Wofford, but he also assisted in every aspect of the program. 

Mauran previously served as an assistant coach for Davidson College from 2003-2005, winning a Southern Conference Championship with the men’s team in 2003. While with the Wildcats, he was involved with both the men’s and women’s programs overseeing the training sessions for the goalkeepers.   He also served as the assistant director of coaching for the North Mecklenburg Youth Soccer Association (NMYSA).

Mauran has also served as the Boys’ Soccer Coach at Franklin County High School (1998-1999), assistant men’s soccer and track & field coach at the University of the South (1999-2001), assistant men’s soccer coach at Springfield College (2001-2003) and the soccer director at Camp Danbee (Summer 2003).

He earned his bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of the South (Sewanee) 1998 before completing his master’s work in psychology, with a concentration in mental health counseling, at Springfield College in 2003.

During his senior season at Sewanee, Mauran posted a 0.71 goals-against average to rank 17th nationally. Mauran was an All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honoree in 1998 and chosen as the league’s player of the week once each during his junior and senior campaigns.

Currently, Mauran is the Director of Goalkeeping at Carolina FC in Spartanburg, SC, where he also coaches the 1993 Boy’s team.  He also holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.