Photo Credit: Robbie Gawrys | North Greenville


KISSIMMEE, Fl.---  The No. 5 seeded Asbury women's soccer squad (9-8-5) concluded their 2024 season today, losing a tightly contested match to No. 4 Bethel University (8-7-6), 1-0 in their second game of NCCAA Tournament pool play.

Despite a resilient defensive effort showcased during the first half of the game, leading to a 0-0 tie at halftime, the game took a decisive turn near its conclusion. Bethel's Leena Thomas scored the critical and only goal of the contest at the 82:49 mark, which was also her 10th goal of the season.

Asbury's goalkeeper Maliya Crump made six several key saves, but the late goal left the Eagles with little time to respond. Crump concludes her AU career as the all-time leader in saves at 363 saves, and holds the most saves in a single season in AU history at 194 in 2022.

Sophomore Anna Sparks drove the attack for the Eagles offense today, attempting four shots and landing one shot on goal. Graduate student Peighton Sowder added to the mix with two shots of her own. Trailing her was Emily Carpenter and Reese Bolton with one.

Bethel outshot AU 12-8, landing seven shots on goal compared to the Eagles one.

13 fouls were called in the match with seven committed by AU and six assessed to the Pilots. Each team was administered one yellow card.


"We are super grateful for the opportunities that presented themselves this season for our program. First year competing in the NCAA D3, making it to the semi's in the conference tournament, winning the NCCAA regional tournament to make it down to the NCCAA National Tournament, and to top it off the players bought in and made it all possible. We are very appreciative of our seniors and what they have done for this program over the years. All of this was possible this year with their help from years past. The foundation was laid last year and the program is moving in the right direction and all the credit goes to these ladies. We are excited about what is to come and how we continue to progress in a more positive direction. There is still a lot of work to do on our side to make the next stride, but this group is good for it. At the moment we are sitting at 9 commits and are excited to add them in for Fall 2025."
Zach Welch | Head Women's Soccer Coach


Asbury concludes their 2024 season at a 9-8-5 record, a seven win improvement from the 2023 season.


* Anna Sparks | 1 SOG, 4 SH
* Maliya Crump | 6 SV 
* Peighton Sowder | 2 SH
* Emily Carpenter, Reese Bolton | 1 SH
* Maggie Perry, Lauren Davis, Maggie Higdon | 90 Min.