The soccer bloodlines in Bay midfielder Emery Aschenbrener’s family run deep.
Both of her aunts, Joy and Judi Aschenbrener, are all over Bay’s all-time scoring leaderboards. Judi played college soccer at Dayton and Joy played for Butler in the mid-1990s.
On Aug. 25, Emery joined her aunts in getting the opportunity to play at the next level. As fate so happened to have it, she announced her commitment to Dayton, Judi’s alma mater, on X, formerly known as Twitter.
I am SO excited to announce my verbal commitment to play D1 soccer & continue my academics at The University of Dayton! I couldn't have done this without the support of my family, coaches, & teammates @ISCgirls. Thank you @DaytonWSoccer for this amazing opportunity! #goflyers✈️ pic.twitter.com/pbxNwqhHM0
— Emery Aschenbrener (@EmeryAsch2) August 25, 2023
With the recruiting process out of the way early in her junior year, it’s a relief for the younger Aschenbrener to have the weight lifted off her shoulders.
“It was so rewarding,” Aschenbrener said. “When I was on the phone with the school (when I was) about to commit to Dayton, as soon as I said I wanted to be a Flyer, I started crying. Both of my parents were there by my side crying with me. It was such a great feeling to have that weight on my back finally lifted.
“I finally had an answer after almost an entire year of going through the recruiting process and not knowing, having an unknown. So I think finally saying ‘yes’ and getting it solved was the biggest relief I could have.”
Aschenbrener had no shortage of suitors looking to bring her into their programs, with over a dozen Division I programs extending offers back in mid-June on the first day colleges could talk directly to prospective soccer players. Those offers included a handful of Power Five programs, but Aschenbrener still will fulfill a lifelong dream of playing Division I soccer.
“Playing D-I soccer at the collegiate level has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl,” she said. “It’s definitely rewarding to see all of the hard work and dedication finally pay off. I’m really proud of myself and of other girls who are going to share the same experience as me.”
When it came time to visit Dayton, Aschenbrener fell in love with the Flyers right away and wound up canceling some upcoming visits she’d already had planned.
“I was able to go on a few visits and I ended up canceling my others just because of how much I loved Dayton’s environment. I love the coaching staff, they’re great. They can push me and I feel like they can make me a better player,” Aschenbrener said. She also valued the academic side of the equation, as the midfielder plans to go into Dayton’s business program.
Aschenbrener already knows one of her future teammates and ironically they’ll be a big rival until the fall season comes to a close. Rocky River senior Mackenzie Russell will be a member of the Flyers’ 2024 haul and will be joined by Aschenbrener at Dayton in two years’ time. The two were connected by Rocky River junior and recent Florida commitment Sophia Sindelar as Aschenbrener went through the recruiting process.
“She kind of got me and Kenzie linked together through social media,” Aschenbrener recalled. “We just had a few conversations regarding Dayton in general because when I first got in contact with Kenzie, I wasn’t committed to Dayton. I was still looking at other schools but hearing things from her perspective, I got to gain knowledge from a committed player going to that school to have her opinion on things. I’m really excited to be her teammate.”
That comes with the caveat of their Oct. 4 matchup when Bay and Rocky River face off, along with a potential postseason game depending on how the Division II brackets shake out.
“I know right now, we aren’t. Off the field we’ll be great friends, but for right now we’re still rivals.”
