The cupboard is far from bare for new head coach Nick Boyce as he takes over the reins of the East Providence High School girls' lacrosse program in time for the 2024 season.

Boyce, a Social Studies teacher at EPHS, succeeds Haley McCusker O'Keefe, who led the Townies to much success in her three seasons at the helm. East Providence is coming off consecutive Division III title game appearances, having won the championship in 2022 with a 12-11 victory over North Smithfield then suffering a gut-wrenching 9-8 loss to neighbor Bay View in four overtimes last spring.

McCusker O'Keefe, whose Townies soon catapulted from a 2-9 record in her first year into contenders the next two, departed EPHS for another very capable program at East Greenwich where she takes over for Karen Lemont, who last year led the Avengers to a runner-up result after they lost to Moses Brown in the Division I state championship.

"Overall, I have a great feeling about the season, and I'm very hopeful to make it into the playoffs," said Boyce. "This is my first year as a coach, and I plan to continue to build off the strong foundation the team already has."

The Townies must replace star forward Ryleigh Grant and a couple of other key contributors, but Boyce and returning assistant coach Kathy Dias, who served as McCusker O'Keefe's aide throughout her stay in city, do have a number of top-notch players and starters back in the fold.

Junior Ava Williams again serves the starting keeper with senior returnees Kaylee Vieira and Ava Soares along with sophomores Aubrey Facteau and Jayla DaGraca on defense.

Returning starters junior Katherine Almeida, senior Kenna Wigginton along with junior Kloey Iacovone make up the midfield.

Returnees and junior Abagail Leddy and Dylan Flynn as well as sophomore Alyssa Karalekis are joined by sophomore Nadiyah Calouro-Vargas in the attack.

Seniors Charlotte Kane and Rylee Jackson, juniors Maggie Robinson, Carter Bessette, Sophia Carreiro, Julia Escobar, Hanaan Jefferson and freshmen Rai Flynn, Kaytlynn Enos and Sydney Olson compose the rest of the roster and those expected to contribute in 2024.

"We currently have four seniors and 11 juniors who have, and will continue to serve as great mentors for their teammates. I could not have asked for a better group of student-athletics to coach," Boyce added. "We are looking forward to a great season."

The Townies got their 2024 campaign off in winning style Monday, April 1, as they recorded an 8-5 victory on the road over Cranston East and followed up with an 11-6 loss to Mount St. Charles in their opener Friday, April 5.