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The boys’ soccer team of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro bowed to Trinity Baptist School of Williston, Vt., 2-1, in double overtime recently in the championship game of the New England Association of Christian Schools Regional Tournament played on the campus of the American School for the Deaf.

Off a pretty feed from Nick Oblak, Travis Poole beat GBCA netminder Matthew Dillon to the wide side with 1:24 remaining in the second sudden-death extra period to give the Kings (14-1-1) their second straight NEACS title. GBCA concluded the 2008 campaign with a 15-3 record.

“It was a hard-fought match and our kids gave it all they had,” GBCA coach Jeff Nichols said after the contest. “Our defense was solid throughout, but we just couldn’t get our offense untracked.”

After Josh Hulme - the Centurions’ top scorer during the past two seasons - had given GBCA a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute of play, he suffered a leg injury which seriously curtailed his effectiveness the rest of the way. GBCA also played minus the services of veteran midfielder Adam Bailey, who was absent because of a family obligation.

Hulme struck the post in the first minute of play, but redeemed himself with 27:51 left in the first half when he took a feed from Alex Reichert and chipped the ball over the head of charging TBS goalie K.C. Delorge and into the net to give the Centurions a 1-0 edge.

Trinity dominated play during the remainder of the first half, but Dillon (15 total saves) preserved the one-goal advantage until 13 seconds remained when the Kings were awarded a penalty shot. Ethan Murphy drilled a low blast out of Dillon’s diving reach to produce a 1-1 deadlock at the break.

Trinity controlled action through most of the second period and constantly pressured the GBCA defense, but Dillon kicked out five solid scoring bids. The Kings sustained their momentum into the first overtime when they executed three corner kicks in the opening two minutes, but Dillon recorded two key saves to keep the match stalemated into the second extra period.

“I’m proud of our players and the way they played all season long,” Nichols said. “We just didn’t get enough breaks today.”

GBCA’s Hulme, Tim Yoakum and Reichert were named to the All-Tournament team.

GBCA had advanced to the title clash by ousting Massachusetts rival New England Baptist Academy of West Bridgewater, 3-0, in the tournament’s semifinal round. Josh Hulme recorded a goal and an assist for the winners, while Kyle Hulme and Zarek Goyette also netted goals and Dillon brushed aside the only four shots he faced.

Nichols praised the Centurions’ defensive unit spearheaded by Yoakum, Steven Medeiros, Zarek Goyette, Eldon Barrett and Chris Redlund.

“Our defense played very well and we really dominated the ball all over the field,” Nichols said. “We didn’t give NEBA much in the way of good looks on the net.”

right picture: Dan Imondi of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro drills a shot on goal recently against Trinity Baptist School of Williston, Vt. 

left picture: Tim Yoakum of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro heads a ball to a teammate during the recent championship match