The East Providence High School girls' lacrosse team welcomed St. Mary Academy-Bay View up Pawtucket Avenue Wednesday afternoon, and the Townies were left hoping they could some day soon be what the Bengals are, which is a title contender.

The Bengals, playing their second varsity season, had little trouble dispatching E.P. in a Division Two contest, defeating the host Townies by a 17-3 count in the first-ever meeting between the sides as varsity squads.

Bay View improved to 9-1 in the D-Two standings and remained in second place behind unbeaten Scituate, who defeated the Bengals in their last outing, 7-5, on April 30. The Townies, winners of their previous two outings, fell to 2-7.

"What I noticed today is that I think East Providence could have a great program someday. I saw it when they were a club team. They have a great bunch of athletes and a coach that is really involved. I hope they stay with it. I hope the city keeps funding the program," said Bay View head coach Joe Kettelle.

"We're happy with the win. Scituate is a very good team and we hadn't played in a week. They were just geared up to play us and we weren't ready to play," Kettelle added, referring to the loss to the Spartans.

Four Bengals scored twice and assisted on two other goals in the victory over the Townies. Maddie Brown, Catie Colucci, Jane Baruch and Meghan Colucci each went for 2-and-2. Taylor Allison, who spent the first half in her usual spot in goal, played the field in the second half and managed two goals. East Providence resident Maddie Laliberte netted the last of the Bay View tallies. Also of note, ice hockey standout Brittany Resendes, playing her first season of lacrosse, scored her first-ever lacrosse goal.

Chantelle Plouffe continued to be one of East Providence's main offensive weapons, scoring the Townies first goal in the opening period, though the Townies found themselves down 11-1 at intermission. Jess Estrella had the assist. In the second half, Kayla Bravo and Lindsey Thompson accounted for the two other E.P. tallies. Keri Wall made 12 saves in the E.P. net.

"I think this was another great learning experience," said East Providence coach Jess Pasquarelli. "I think it's important to learn from the best and Bay View is a very good team. I was happy that everyone got a chance to play, all 29 girls played in the game, which was nice. I thought Keri making 12 saves was awesome against a team of that caliber. We saw (Bay View) do some really good things today. Hopefully we can take some of what they did and be able to do it ourselves."

The Bengals are scheduled to play Providence Country Day in a non-league contest on May 9, then return to Division Two action next week against a pair of the other top teams in the league when they host South Kingstown, May 12, and Middletown, May 14.

The Townies are set to play in South Kingstown, May 9, before closing out their regular season slate with home games against Chariho, May 12, and Mount St. Charles, May 14.

By Mike Rego

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com

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