The East Providence High School boys' soccer club gave its new head coach Tim Calouro his first official victory as the leader of the program as the host Townies thwarted a feisty Central squad 3-2 in the 2023 Division I regular season opener for both sides played on campus Wednesday night, Sept. 6, at the Townies Stadium.

The visiting Knights took the early lead, putting a goal past first-time varsity starting keeper James McShane in the first 10 minutes.

East Providence, however, answered with a flourish, potting three tallies before intermission. Sam Jackson leveled the score for the locals with a 30 yard bomb outside the box. Tristen Nunes then drove into the box and slotted a shot inside the far post to make it 2-1 Townies. Nathan Capelo lasted unleashed a laser beam from 30 yards out to make it 3-1.

The still stifling heat, even as the sun set, that have hovered over the area for the last several days began to take its toll on the players ion the second half. Players began to cramp and the level of play dipped noticeably.

Central managed to make things interesting by scoring a second goal with about 20 minutes remaining. But McShane and the EPHS defense held up to finished off the win. The Townies' senior keeper finished with seven saves.

"It was great to get that first win, but we need to prepare for the next one, Central Falls," Calouro said, referring to East Providence's upcoming trip to Macomber Field Friday night, Sept. 8, to face the Warriors at 6:30. Quoting Abraham Lincoln, Calouro added, "If I had nine hours to chop down a tree. I would spend six hours sharpening my axe."

Girls' volleyball wins
The EPHS girls' volleyball squad opened up its Division II regular season schedule in impressive fashion Wednesday night, Sept. 6, with a 3-0 sweep of Cranston West on the road.

The Townies shut out the host Falcons by the scores of 25-10, 26-24, 25-22. Sophomores Ellie Vest and Keira Mullen combined for 16 kills and 8 aces. Senior libero Daniella Escudero had 12 digs and 3 aces.

East Providence's non-league outing the next night, September 7, at home against Classical was cancelled after schools in Providence were likewise canceled due to the day's excessive heat.

Girls' tennis update
The EPHS girls' tennis team finally completed its ladder matches Wednesday night, Sept. 6, setting up the Townies' playing order at the start of their 2023 Division III slate next week in Johnston.

The last of the ladder matches to finish determined which tandems would play from the No. 1 doubles position to begin the season. The combo of senior Isabella Hurley and newcomer freshman Madison Luu will play from the top stop after they defeated the team of senior Tiana Brierly and junior Maggie Robinson 6-4, 6-0 in the final contest between the sides to determine their position in the lineup.

Brierly and Robinson will play from the two spot. There was no change to the starting third team as sophomore Rylie Thurber teams with junior Ava Domingues.

Editor's Note: The Townies' doubles order changed slightly after the first draft of the 2023 preview was written and published in the September 7 print edition of The Post. The updated lineup will be noted in the September 14 edition of the paper.