Grace Baptist Boys' Soccer Team Lose in Shootout

For the second straight year, the boys’ soccer team of has come up short in its quest for a perfect season and the state championship of the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools.

New England Baptist Academy of West Bridgewater claimed its third straight MACS state crown Tuesday with a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Centurions in a shootout at the After battling to a 1-1 draw through regulation time and in two five-minute overtimes, the teams both netted two goals in five shots in the first round of the shootout before the Hawks gained a 3-2 advantage in the second round to clinch the state title.

NEBA will now advance to the Region Tournament of the New England Association of Christian Schools to be held Friday and Saturday in Williston, Vt.

The victory put a sour ending on GBCA’s banner season which saw the Centurions secure their second straight MACS regular-season crown and win all 16 of its starts until Tuesday. GBCA was also undefeated a year ago entering the state final against NEBA and lost by a goal.

Tuesday, the Hawks scored late in the first half to take a 1-0 lead at the break, but the Centurions countered with a successful A.J. Russell penalty kick early in the second half to forge a 1-1 stalemate. Both teams misfired on solid scoring opportunities the rest of the way and into the overtime sessions, setting the stage for the shootout.

Christian Kunsch scored twice in the shootout for GBCA and teammates Lee Nichols, Nate Corkum and Russell added one goal apiece. Keeper Tyler McGee recorded nine saves in a losing effort.