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Asbury Athletics saw all of its teams compete last week in a competition-filled couple of days.

Womens’ soccer

Asbury womens’ soccer (0-3-1) hit the road to face Bluffton University (2-2-1) on Sept. 13 in the first-ever matchup between the two schools. Bluffton scored twice in the second half to hold off the Eagles late push, taking a 2-1 win over AU. Junior Deidra Long scored the lone goal for the Eagles on the night, coming off an assist from teammate Caroline Absher. Absher had a solid night, recording eight shots and five on goal in 88 minutes played.

The Eagles returned to the field to face Anderson University (3-1-1) in an afternoon tilt on Sept. 16. In a closely contested match, Anderson was able to secure the win with a goal in the 86th minute, tallying the score at 2-1. Sophomore Hannah Muncie had the lone goal on the night, set up off the foot of Absher, who has collected assists on both goals of the season for the Eagles. The goal by Muncie was her first on the still young season.

Mens’ soccer

The Asbury mens’ soccer team continued on the road Tuesday night, Sept. 12, to take on Mount St. Joseph in a 7 p.m. matchup. The match had a lot of second-half activity, and AU came out on top for their second win of the season, 3-2. Freshman Jason Flaming led the board for AU, recording seven shots with three on goal. Flaming put a goal away, being one of Asbury’s three-goal scorers against MSJ.

The Eagles returned home for a night matchup against Anderson University on Sept. 15. After an early goal by Anderson, Asbury quickly retaliated with one of their own to tie the game 1-1. Despite efforts by both sides, neither would find the net again, and the match resulted in the Eagles’ second draw of the season, 1-1. Freshman Salat Kipterit was Asbury’s lone goal scorer once again, finding the net in the 22nd minute, assisted by Austin Dunlap. Kipterit and Dunlap were able to rebound quickly after Anderson took the lead just six minutes into the game.

The Eagles took on Earlham College at home on Saturday evening, Sept. 16, for the weekend’s second game. The Eagles displayed impressive offensive and defensive efforts to record their second clean sheet of the season. Asbury took the victory in a 2-0 match, giving AU their third straight win.

Austin Dunlap and Luke Thomas were AU’s leaders, both contributing to the victory with a goal each. Dunlap led the board with three shots and two on goal, Thomas right behind him with two shots, both on goal.

Volleyball

Asbury sophomore hitter Sidney Haysley had 16 kills while hitting .333 to lead AU (5-4) past Kentucky State in Wilmore on Wednesday night, Sept. 13, for their home opener, 3-1. Haysley, a sophomore transfer student from the University of Pittsburg-Greensboro, has 16 kills in her last two matches. She also had five service aces, taking her team lead in service aces on the year to 17.

Golf

Sophomore Joâo Costa had one of his most impressive performances as an Asbury Eagle, shooting 8-under-par (70, 69, 69) to finish second place out of 104 golfers in the Players Club Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 11-12. The Asbury team placed 12th out of 16 teams with a total score of 907 (+43) in three rounds.

Costa was recognized for his amazing weekend by the NCCAA, winning NCCAA Golf Student Athlete of the Week. The award acknowledges a golfer who had the best week nationally.

Cross country

In the second official race of the 2023 season on Saturday morning in Versailles, Asbury cross country qualified their men’s team and freshman Bailey Gassmann for the NCCAA National Championship in November. Gassmann, a freshman from Churchville, Pa., has been electric since stepping on campus as her 24:04 6K time marks the second fastest in Asbury history behind Katy Falkenberg’s school record.

Cameron Tapp, a junior, trimmed a fantastic three minutes off his previous best for the 8K event. Wes Preston, the Asbury senior team captain, is finally back to his strength after a recent illness. Freshman Josh Rittgers and sophomore Davis Brown rounded out the scoring for the Asbury men’s team.

Russ Abner named Asbury Athletics coordinator of business operations

Asbury University Athletics has announced that Russ Abner has been named coordinator of business operations. He will continue to serve as Asbury mens’ basketball associate head coach and begins his tenth season in October.

“I’m very excited to start this new journey at Asbury University. “This is a place I love and care deeply about. I can’t thank Mark Whitworth and Ben Andrews enough for allowing me the opportunity to serve our athletics program in this role. I look forward to working alongside each of our teams and helping advance the mission of Asbury Athletics!” said Abner

“We are thrilled to welcome Russ into this important role on the TeamAU staff. “His strong commitment to student-athletes has been on full display during his 10-year tenure on our men’s basketball coaching staff. We are very fortunate to have Russ continue as our associate head coach, while also expanding his imprint on our program. We will benefit greatly from his dedication, energy and creativity,” said Asbury’s VP of intercollegiate athletics, Mark Whitworth

Asbury Eagles next up

Womens’ soccer

• Asbury @ Covenant Sept. 23, 1 p.m.

Mens’ soccer

• Asbury @ Warren Wilson Sept. 23,  2:30 p.m.

Volleyball

• Asbury @ Rose Hulman Invitational Sept. 22, 2:30 5 p.m.

• Asbury @ Rose Hulman Invitational Sept. 23, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.