By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The Concordia College Alabama soccer team’s journey toward a United States Collegiate Athletic Assocation championship has ended.

No. 5 seed Concordia lost to No. 4 seed Berkeley College (NY) 2-1 Thursday in the quarterfinals of the USCAA championship in Asheville, North Carolina. Diego Bastos scored the lone goal for the Hornets in the 66th minute, but a goal in the 79th minute for Berkeley sealed Concordia’s fate.

Berkeley’s Hasan Sezer scored the first goal in the 11th minute of the game. Concordia’s Stanley Benjamin tried to answer with two shots, but they both fell wide of the goal. The Hornets also failed to convert goals out of three first-half corner kicks that took place in a span of eight minutes.

After Concordia was unable to take advantage of opportunities in the first 45 minutes, the Hornets needed a goal to tie it up in the second half.

Concordia’s Wilson Leonard took the first shot on goal for either team in the second half in the 52nd minute, but Berkeley goalkeeper Masahiro Kluchi stopped it from going in. Kluchi had nine saves in the game, stopping all but one shot.

Bastos put the Hornets on the board in the 66th minute. He was assisted by Elisee John.

Concordia pressed for another goal just a few minutes later, but failed to convert on a corner kick, and Kluchi saved a shot by John in the 68th minute.

The Hornets had yet another chance in the 78th minute on a penalty kick by Alaye Imira, but the shot was saved. One minute later, Berkeley took the lead with a goal by Ali Dawha.

Concordia was unable to get a shot on goal for the remainder of the game, and the Hornets’ chances of repeating their semifinal appearance in the USCAA championship fell flat.

While it wasn’t the ending Concordia had hoped for, the Hornets almost didn’t make it to the tournament. Concordia spent the days prior to the tournament raising money to give Concordia a chance to go, and it wasn’t until shortly before the start of the tournament that the Hornets found out they would be able to go.

The Hornets are out of the running for the national championship, but they still have a game in the consolation bracket. Concordia is scheduled to play No. 9 seed SUNY Delhi Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET.