By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The next couple of games for Concordia College Alabama’s soccer team decides whether or not the Hornets will play in the national championships. 

The 7-4 Hornets have four games left on their schedule before the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships which take place the weekend of Nov. 4 at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, but they still need to win a game or two to ensure they’ll be there.

“Our next three games are extremely important,” said head coach Emanuel Stephens. “I think that we obviously we want to win all three, but if we go 2-1, we’ll still be fine.”

Concordia is riding a three-game winning streak and is coming off an 11-0 win over Oakwood University in which forward Stanley Benjamin scored six goals and forward Samson Metelus had six assists. Benjamin is second in goals in the USCAA this season with 15 and Metelus is third in assists with nine.

Stephens said this may be the most talented roster he’s coached, but had higher expectations for where his team would be at this point in the season. He said injuries have contributed to the four losses.

“The biggest thing is just getting in and praying that we’re healthy,” Stephens said. “So, I think if we have those two things, and I think also if we play together, play for each other, I don’t think there’s a team that’s more talented than us.”

Concordia will need to play as a team to get past the two Division II opponents on its schedule this weekend. The Hornets face Spring Hill College Friday and University of West Florida Sunday.

Aside from Concordia’s talented midfield, which Stephens said has multiple Division I-caliber players on it, goalkeeper Thoby Wendy is another player who will play a large role in the fate of the Hornets’ postseason hopes.

Wendy is the reigning USCAA goalkeeper of the week, but he has been strong at the net all season. He has only allowed nine goals all season.