One of the best defensive soccer players ever to compete at Old Dominion, Neil Paynter was Co-CAA Player of the Year and CAA Tournament MVP in 1991. The Bermuda native earned first-team All-CAA and All-South region honors as he helped lead Old Dominion to an 18-2-2 record, its first CAA title and a national ranking of ninth in the final poll. That year, the Monarchs' tough defense allowed only nine goals while scoring 45.

After graduating, Paynter was a member of the Bermuda national soccer team. He is currently an elementary school health and physical education teacher in Bermuda.