He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he played on the men's soccer team from 1986 to 1989.
In October 1990, the Milwaukee Wave selected Ashton in the third round of the National Professional Soccer League draft.
However, the Kansas City Comets selected Ashton in the first round of the Major Indoor Soccer League draft and he signed with them.
[5] In the fall of 1993, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave in the NPSL[6] The next season, he moved to the Wichita Wings.
In February 1996, the Dallas Burn selected Ashton in the 2nd round (18th overall) of the 1996 MLS Supplemental Draft.
In 1995, the University of Denver hired Ashton as head coach of its men's soccer team.