LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Asbury men's soccer team traveled to Louisville, Ky. on Friday night to compete in the JR Hoe Invitational. They opened their 2023 season with a tight road matchup against Spalding, finishing in a 3-3 draw.

After AU drew a penalty kick in the first minute of the match, Austin Dunlap stepped up to give the Eagles their first goal of the game and his first of the season. It was only three minutes later when Spalding retaliated with their first goal, tying the game 1-1. Spalding continued to press and found the back of the net in the 18th minute to give them a 2-1 lead. 

12 minutes later, senior Yousef Ismail found net, assisted by Nick Clark, to tie up the game once again, 2-2. AU and Spalding continued to match each other's pace, both teams recording seven shots, three corners, and two saves just in the first half. 

Junior keeper, Collin McKibben was crucial all match, recording three saves from six shots on goal. 

AU came out in the second half determined with an early goal just 18 seconds into the half. Junior Nick Eller scored in the 45th minute off an assist from his teammate Oliver Gunthrope.  

Asbury held their 3-2 lead for another 18 minutes before Spalding tied the match for the third time of the night in the 63rd minute, 3-3. Although various attempts were put up by both teams, neither could find the back of the net again, and the match concluded with a 3-3 tie.

AU moves to an 0-0-1 record after a Friday night road test in Louisville that ended even. 


* Austin Dunlap | 1 G, 3 S, 2 SOG
* Nick Eller | 1 G, 3 S, 2 SOG
* Yousef Ismail | 1 G, 1 S, 1 SOG
* Oliver Gunthorpe | 1 A
* Nick Clark | 1 A


* AU recorded 10 shots for the match, with seven on goal. 
* Austin Dunlap and Nick Eller both led the board with three shots, two on goal, and one goal each.


"We learned a lot about our selves tonight. There were some "first game nerves" but also some guys stepping up in huge ways. We have a few fixes already lined up before our next match. I love my team and I'm excited to continue to grow, learn, develop with them."
Head Coach | Ben Andrews


The Eagles will travel back to Lousiville, Ky. on Sunday September 3rd to continue to compete in the JR Hoe Invitational as they take on Centre College at 5:30 PM.