EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys' soccer club dropped its 2024 regular season home debut Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7, as Tolman edged the locals 1-0 in a Division I outing at Townie Stadium.

The visiting Tigers potted the game's lone tally about 15 minutes into the second half. Tolman took advantage of the high bounce off the artificial surface to beat EPHS keeper Kyle Desrosiers.

The Townies were coming off a 3-2 loss on the road in Smithfield to start their fall. Tolman, under the direction of one-time former East Providence interim head coach Dan Silva, also dropped its season opener 3-0 on the road to Hendricken in Warwick.

Saturday's outing was not without its controversy. East Providence had what was initially called a good goal taken off the board by the officials after they deemed Tolman keeper Juan Hernandez had suffered a head injury.

Asked after the game if he was given sufficient reason for the scoring change, EPHS head coach Tim Calouro said he did not believe so.

The tough bounce didn't help the Townies' mood either, forcing the hosts to be even more on the front foot over the final final 25 minutes of 80.

East Providence continually pressed up field, but few of their attempts at the Tolman net tested Hernandez, who stayed in the game with gauze stuff up his nose bloodied earlier in the game.

The Townies' best look at goal came in the final few minutes when Sam Jackson found mate Marcio Cardoso behind the Tigers' back four briefly, but the latter's attempt on goal with an on-rushing Hernandez and a Tolman defender chasing from the side sailed wide of the right post.

Hernandez finished with seven saves. EP had 11 shots. Desrosiers was credited with four stops on six Tolman shots, one of which hit the post as the Townie netminder dove to left and as his mates were well up the pitch chasing the tying tally.

East Providence is back in action at Cumberland, Tuesday, Sept. 10, for a 6:30 p.m. start.