Eagles Destroy Johnson with 15 Goal Barrage

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WILMORE, Ky. – The onslaught began early as three Eagles recorded a hat-trick in a season-opening 15-0 victory over Johnson University on Monday afternoon.  The Eagles piled up 49 shots, 34 on goal, as Johnson manufactured just two shots in the match.  Asbury will play again on Friday as they host Hanover College at 7 pm.

Trent Popp (Danville, Ind.) picked up where he left off last season, scoring the game’s first two goals en route to three goals and three assists in just 44 minutes of action.  The red-shirt senior led the team with 22 goals last year and was named NAIA Honorable Mention All-American.  Not to be outdone by his elder teammate, freshman Jesse Peterson (Lexington, Ky.) led the team with four goals, all in the second half.

Sophomore Adam Howard (Nicholasville, Ky.) also produced a hat-trick in addition to an assist.  The Eagles took control early and never relented, scoring four goals in a 10-minute span in the middle of the first half to lead 5-0.  Three more goals by Chris Israel, Josh Braun and Hunter Dean brought the first half total to eight.  Billy Congleton also netted a goal in the first half as Howard scored two of his three.

The second half produced little hope for Johnson (0-1), although both of their shots did come after intermission.  Peterson and Howard combined for four goals in a 10-minute span to open the second half, part of a six-goal barrage in just 14 minutes.  Cliff Evans scored his first career goal in the second half. 

Griffin Appel and Dylan Fouts combined for the shutout, each playing a half and Fouts making the lone save in the second half.  The Eagles recorded eight shutouts a year ago.

Peterson’s four goals tie him for the early NAIA lead in goals in one game with Gaetan Massiah from Mobile University.  Popp’s nine points also puts him in a tie with Massiah for most points in a game this year.  Popp’s three assists are also tied for the NAIA lead in a game this season with Phillip Sandgren from Lindsey Wilson. 

Asbury’s 15 goals are the most for any team this season in the NAIA, and are only one away from last season’s 16-goal outburst on Homecoming.  Their 12 assists and 49 shots are the most in a single game this season as well as their 34 shots on goal.